Straight Draws in Omaha H/L Part 3

Today we will end our discussion of straight draws by looking at hands containing double connectors with no gaps, one gap and two gaps. We will look at all combinations of how the hand may be suited and include the non-suited variety.

Each of these simulations was run a minimum of 100,000 times with many run a million or more. As usual they were run at a full tight table with the same tight players playing each hand from all positions.

By examining the charts below it is apparent that the best hands, those producing the highest net return or lowest loss, are those of the double suited variety. On the other hand it should come as no surprise that the non-suited variety offer the poorest net return. This observation serves as additional reinforcement that a suited hand is always preferable to a non-suited hand

Another fact easily discernable from the three charts is that as in all other forms of poker, the greater the gap the less likely it is to complete the straight. The no gap straight draws are approximately twice as profitable as the single gap straight draws. The two gapers overall produce a negative return. When you reach the two-gap level or higher you should only concentrate on those hands containing the A-2.

All the hands containing an A-2 are profitable regardless of how they are suited and even if they are not suited. Again, what makes these hands profitable is their excellent low potential even when they miss the straight. Of course when they are double suited with the Ace in particular you have a powerful hand capable of sweeping the entire pot. You will usually win a larger pot and make out like a bandit even if you get quartered on the low when you hit that flush. When you do get lucky and flop the nut flush you should always raise or re-raise. You may still get plenty of action from the other lows and any king or queen high flushes who may unknowingly put you on nothing more than a low.

The 2-3-4-5 and 2-3-5-6 are mostly profitable in the no gap and one gap variety but again this has more to do with their low potential. Although not shown one should avoid playing any three gap straight drawing unless they contains an A-2. This concludes my series of articles on straight draws. Next time I will begin a series of what kind of hands win and how table personality affects the outcome as well as that of the individual player. Each of those simulations will be run 10,000,000 times to insure randomness.

So what have we learned? Having two connectors does not improve our straight draw chances unless it is combined with a flush draw and also contains a nut low or possibly nut low draw. One should not look at a straight draw as a reason to play a hand. It should be viewed as an additional benefit to a hand that would otherwise be playable.