Tips For Playing Mixed Hi-Lo Split Games

1. Home
2. News
3. Tips For Playing Mixed Hi Lo Split Games
4. 762

In many casinos, there are very few Omaha Hi-Lo games that are split above the $5-$10 limits. Sadly, there are even fewer that spread Stud Hi-Lo games at all. However, there are some that will split a mix of Omaha Hi-Lo and Stud Hi-Lo with limits usually around the $15-$30 range.

In these games, you play 30 minutes of Omaha 8 and 30 minutes of Stud 8. For those adept at both games, these games can be profitable. Here are some tips to help you win more money in this mixed split pot variant.

Open Your Range in Stud 8 Games

The dynamic of many of these mixed games is that players mainly want to play $15-$30 Omaha Hi-Lo and don’t really care about the Stud 8 game. This can actually work to your advantage if you are willing to play a little looser during the Stud round. Complete a bit more often in position and especially if you are heads-up with a high card vs a low car.

This is counterintuitive to most Stud 8 play, but a high hand will play decent against a single opponent. Should they catch bad, you will probably take the pot. The same will happen should you catch an open pair and all they have is a non-scooping low draw. Granted, there will be some that will chase this low, so make them pay for playing to break even.

Be Aggressive in Kill Pots

Many of these games will be kill games which means that if a pot goes over a certain amount, such as a scooped pot of $150 or more, then the next hand is played at double the limits. ($15-$30 becomes $30-$60).

When this happens, the tighter players will usually not play the next hand because they will have to play for more. Be willing to raise more or speculate in these hands and bet strong should the board flop dry.

In Stud 8 hands that are kill pots, be aggressive with your scoop capable hands or when you know you’re in the lead in a hand as players are less likely to chase at double the stakes.

Take Advantage of “Stud High” Players

Earlier we mentioned players who like to play just Omaha and are passive during Stud rounds. Some of those same players also tend to play the game poorly and try to play it more like Stud Hi.

When you get these types of players in your game and you can get a decent hand against them, punish them by extracting maximum value for your hands. If you know they are playing the game more like Stud Hi, make sure you give them proper credit for hands such as when their door card pairs, they get three or more straight or flush cards, or when their passive play suddenly turns aggressive on a harmless looking cards (likely playing a buried pair.)

Also, be very aggressive with made hands in this game. With the higher limits, some may not be as willing to speculate, especially if their bankrolls cannot handle the swings associated with this limit. You will find this for players who normally play $5-$10 and are taking a stab at this limit.

Omaha 8 / Stud 8 mixed games are not very common in casinos, but when they are spread, they tend to be action games. Typically, your players will be experienced in Omaha 8 but not in Stud 8, and this gives players adepts on both sides an excellent chance to make a profit.

By using the above tips and playing smart, you can take advantage of the player’s lack of action during Stud rounds and kill pots to improve your overall win rate. Good luck at the tables.