Here's another hand. I'm never quite sure when I can push draws, but I tend to push big wraps and/or combo draws (i.e. set + flush; set + straight and the like).

PokerStars Pot-Limit Omaha High, $0.50 BB (7 handed)

UTG ($45.50)
MP1 ($8.50)
Hero ($48)
CO ($124.70)
Button ($72.70)
SB ($11.50)
BB ($11.75)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with , , , .
UTG calls $0.50, 1 fold, Hero raises to $2.25, CO calls $2.25, 2 folds, BB calls $1.75, UTG folds.

Flop: ($7.50) , , (3 players)
BB bets $7.15, Hero raises to $28.6, CO raises to $50.05, BB calls $2.35 (All-In), Hero calls $17.15 (All-In).

Turn: ($112.80) (3 players, 2 all-in)

River: ($112.80) (3 players, 2 all-in)

Final Pot: $112.80

Results in white below:
BB doesn't show.


Outcome: CO wins $112.80.

Rainbow flop and I have an overpair, decent wrap, and a backdoor flush. If there were a flush draw available (that I wasn't drawing to), I would have been more inclined to play more passively. Obviously, I'm not happy when I get re-raised on the flop, but given the pot odds, I don't see how I can fold. Admittedly, this hand was a few days ago and math is not my strongsuit (something I'm working on).

I'll just go with these two, and toss up a couple more in a day or so. I don't want to flood the board with such horrific play.

Thanks,
Steve

In general playing big draws fast is fine. In a situation like this I wouldn't expect to have a lot of folding equity, especially if they expect you to have AAxx. Now, you have 12 outs to win, plus some far-fetched backdoor possibilities. This is a decent draw, but not a monster. Also, the chance of making your draw and splitting the pot is not entirely theoretical. If you think that the shortstacked BB is bored and is pushing with anything, you can think of a raise to isolate him (you are probably a favourite then). If the BB had a substantial stack, I'd rather call, and try to get the CO to come along, thus getting a better price for your draw. In this case, it wouldn't have made a lot of difference, since the CO would've pushed anyway.

Given the way it played out, you were of course correct in calling with 12 outs. Expect to lose half of the time though...

Pieter

i agree. If the bb was a full stack, this hand changes dramatically.

In the lower games, say up to $50, it is not at all an issue whether you play predictably or not. Nutpeddling is a perfectly good strategy here. I started out playing PLO in a very very tight manner at the $25 tables, and made decent money by just hammering when I made top set, nut flush, or a monster draw. This is not the way to optimize profit, since there are situations where you will fold the best hand, or you might give up a chance to bluff, but even though you are leaving some value on the table, you will earn enough by hammering the nuts. More importantly, you reduce variance, you gradually develop a feel for the game and how different players play and get proficient at calculating odds and hand reading (although at $25 PLO you shouldn't beat yourself up if you don't nail it, since most likely your opponents don't even know what they have themselves). Then, when you feel comfortable in your decision making, you can gradually add new elements to your game.

Remember that the lower the level you play, the less additional reward there is for advanced play (there may even be a negative reward). I'm sure you know this from holdem. Once you're up to $100 (well, sometimes on stars you can have a tight $50 table) or higher, you have to start making some moves and bluff a bit. But even on the $200 tables I sometimes fold for an hour and then double up because I hit top set against someones bottom set....

Good luck, and keep us posted!

Pieter

ps Of course, there is no substitute for reading; if you haven't found Monk's articles yet, check those out.