I've just started to learn PLO8, and decided to sit down at the $0.01/$0.02 tables just to try to get a feel for it. Everybody says they're as soft as can be, and I've been coming out ahead the first couple of sessions.

Very, very loose. I am, too, at this stage. Just trying to get a better feel for what kind of hands to play, and I think I'm getting better. Still seeing WAY too many.

Anyway, the following hand came up, and I was unsure how to proceed at a couple of spots.

PokerStars Game #2386362608: Omaha Hi/Lo Pot Limit ($0.01/$0.02) - 2005/08/21 - 00:19:37 (ET)

Dealt to TheMathProf [2c 8c 3d Ad]

*** PRE FLOP ***
Hero calls,

First mistake? Do I raise this? I'm currently pretty uncomfortable raising ANYTHING preflop.

UTG+1 checks, 1 fold, MP calls, CO raises to $0.04, Button calls, 1 fold, BB calls, Hero calls, UTG+1 calls, MP folds.

*** FLOP *** [9d 5d 3c] (5 players, pot = 21 SB)

OK, so I've got the nut low draw and the nut diamond flush draw. This has got to be good, right?

BB checks, Hero bets $0.08,

Too small? Right size? I'm not sure what my goal is, but I'm sure a raise seems appropriate.

UTG+1 calls, CO raises to $0.16, Button calls, BB calls, Hero calls

Do I reraise here? Or do I wait for a good turn card?

UTG+1 calls.

*** TURN *** [9d 5d 3c] [2h] (5 players, pot = 50.5 BB)

What an ugly card! My nut low draw has been counterfeited, although there are redraws to a wheel with a 4, which probably massively splits the low.

BB checks, Hero checks,

Right play?

UTG+1 bets $0.02, CO raises to $1.04, Button calls, BB calls $0.51 (all-in)...

What does Hero do here? Is my nut flush draw and my smallish chance of taking part of the low worth playing this here? Should I fold? Call? Raise?

I know most of this stuff has got to be pretty standard to most of you, but I'm really trying to get a feel for some of this stuff, so I was hoping for some good advice.

Thanks in advance for replies.

[EDIT: Formatting fix.]

On the flop, if you're going to bet it, bet the size of the pot. You've got a ton of outs, but might take it down there.

You're pretty screwed on the turn. They've already hit their wheel, so you're drawing pretty slim to either half of the pot. Fold.

Pre-Flop: You have a nice hand, which you are happy to play against several players, but you are UTG so calling is fine, hoping someone else raises (which they do) which gives you a chance to re-raise - probably another .04 in this case - for value.

Flop: Great flop for you. You are quite happy to keep everyone in, so a bet of half pot is fine. CO gets agressive and min-re-raises you, so he likes his hand (AA24 maybe). Flat call is fine, although you may want to move now to get it heads up in case your low gets counterfeited.

Turn: Oh shit. If you have got heads up, then it may be worth going to the end. Against 4 commited players (by the time it gets back to you) with a pot sized bet and only 8 safe outs for half the pot, and 4 (probably actually at most 2) to split the low, it is time to give up and wait for a better opportunity.

(If other stack sizes are large enough, there may be sufficient implied odds to go for the flush, but it is probably better to practice disciplined play here.)

Always like to read your posts.

Are you still playing at PStars $400?

TYVM

I will be - I've just got back from 3 weeks away, which was a poker sabattical, so I am 'freshening up' on Party first. Who are you on PS?

I prefer anonymous, sorry. 8)

Thanks for the reply, Chamonyx.

The other stacks (the CO and the button) both had a little over $1.50 left.

I ended up making the call (like I said I was new, and overvalued the low split), and the river bricked, which at least made the river an easy fold.