Rainy Day Wednesday

Today had a very mundane feel. Omaha Hi/Lo is a very slow game, as the dealers have to take about a minute at the end of every hand to split the pot into halves, quarters, and sometimes sixths, and everyone stares at the hands and board trying to figure out who has just what. There is a lot to think about during the hand, but the decisions do not carry the same intensity they might in say, no limit hold em. Rarely will a fold or call make or break a player.

The event had about 210 entrants for $200 apiece, so it was the smallest prize pool so far at the FPC. The field was older and more veteran than in the hold em events, not the type to stare someone down behind dark sunglasses for a minute before making a decision. There was a slight drizzle outside and it felt like it was about 9 AM the whole day. It was not an electric atmosphere, but it was fun to play cards because most players knew what they were doing (me being one of the few exceptions).

This was actually the first time I've played Omaha in a casino. It's a lot of fun to play, but doesn't carry the same intensity as hold 'em. I don't think I made any big mistakes, but didn't get lucky enough to get anywhere in the tournament. The hand that hurt me the most was when I limped with AQJs9 under the gun, then called the raise and reraise of two short stacks who got all in. I asked a more experienced player if I should have played the hand, and he replied it was a "personal preference." I was up against AA2x and A24x and I made trip queens. Unfortunately they both flopped the wheel so I won nothing. A round later with only 275 left I raised to 200 under the gun with AQ72 doublesuited under the gun, got two callers, and wound up with only a pair of twos and no low.

Kwickfish arrives tonight and will likely play the Stud tournament tomorrow along with me and the Wolf.