Do you Play Turbo Omaha Sit N Go’s? Part One
Part One, early rounds and adjustments
Turbo sit n go tournaments are becoming quite popular and you can find almost any game in a turbo format these days. Turbo sit n go’s are defined by less time to act and less time between blind changes. What this means is that before you know it you are going to have some pretty big blinds to pay. This can be especially troubling in Omaha hi lo if you haven’t been able to win some chips early on. This article will cover some strategic issues you’ll need to consider when making the move to a turbo format. Part two of this series will cover strategic considerations for middle and late rounds as well as some other random adjustments.
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Early strategy
It is important to realize that early strategy in a turbo tournament is much different than in a regular sit n go. The early rounds simply aren’t that long and you can’t afford to sit around and wait for other players to pick themselves off like you would in a regular tournament. Realize that when you make the commitment to play an Omaha hi lo turbo sit n go that you are much more vulnerable to luck and variance. There are advantages though in that the games are quicker and usually have a little better prize pool.
In an Omaha hi lo turbo sit n go you will need to drastically reduce your starting hand requirements at the beginning of the tournament. The following hands which might be questionable early on in a normal tournament become quite playable in the turbo environment:
• A2XX
• A3XX
• A4XX
• A5XX
• 23XX
• 34XX
• 45XX
Notice the emphasis here on basically any low cards. You’re still going to have to be careful as these hands are susceptible to domination, but you have to take your chances and go with it or you simply will give away your whole stack to the blinds. Also look for hands that have a good high potential. Usually high only hands are risky in Omaha hi lo unless they are of the highest rank. Lower your standards some in the turbo format and look for good high hands like four face cards or face cards mixed in with nines and tens.
Early rounds betting strategy
In a normal speed Omaha hi lo sit n go, getting all your money in before the flop isn’t necessarily the best idea. Now, that’s not to say it’s a wonderful idea in a turbo tournament, but you need to realize that aggressive betting is what will win you the chips early on in a turbo tournament. Look at a turbo tournament kind of like a short handed game but that even more cunning and aggressiveness is required. You are going to have to make strong bets on situations that are closer than what you normally would be comfortable with. If you flop a good draw, to either a low or a strong high hand, an aggressive pot sized bet is an excellent idea, especially against someone who has already taken a hit. At the same point, if you flop a set, a strong two pair or a first or second nut low and there were no raises pre flop, don’t give anyone free cards. Bet it out strong and build your stack.
You may also enjoy reading: Limit Turbo Sit N Go’s Part One, Limit Turbo Sit N Go’s Part Two, NLHE Turbo MTT Strategy Part One, NLHE Turbo MTT Strategy Part Two, No Limit Hold Em Turbo Sit N Go Strategy Part One, No Limit Hold Em Turbo SNG Strategy Part Two, Dow Plummets and Matisow Rejoices, Playing Omaha Hi Lo Tourneys Part Two
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