By: Andy Fullard
Submitted: 2009-09-01 21:42:44 | Word Count: 576
Point counting systems is important in all card games. The player should be well versed with each and every card and its value in terms of points in order to win the game. We will take you through two important counting systems.
In Hutchison point count system for Omaha high low poker, best poker play hands are those which are capable of winning both high and low. The cards with less than 15 probability of potential to win are not playable and should be discarded. In a high low Omaha the pot is split between the player with best cards and the person with lowest value of cards. A playable card with low point value has potential to win both high and low part of the pot. Whereas a high point card is only capable to win the high part of the pot. After close scrutiny if the players finds his cards not qualified as a high hand, then he should see if the cards can be played as a low hand. To take this decision, the player must add the points of all the four cards.
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Firstly, the players should check their two lowest hand cards. The cards should be pointed as A 2 is equivalent to 20 points, A 3 is equivalent to 17 points, A 4 is equivalent to 13 points, A 5 is equivalent to 10 points, 2 3 is equivalent to 15 points, 2 4 is equivalent to 12 points, 3 4 is equivalent to 11 points, 4 5 is equivalent to 8 points. Any other combination has no points.
Secondly the players should have a look at the next two cards. The cards should be pointed as 3 is 9 points, 4 is 6 points, 5 is 4points, Jack, king or queen is 2 points, 6 and 10 is 1 point each.
The players should see that if they have pairs. Aces equals 8 points, kings equals 6 points, queens equals 5 points and two jacks equal 3 points. 2 equals 3 points, 10, 4 and three equals 1 point for each pair. If a hand contains three cards of the same rank then half of the points should be deducted. If all the four cards are of the same rank then the player does not get any points.
If out of the suit cards one is an ace, then 4 points should be added. If one is a king, 3 points are to added, for queen and jack 2 points, and for 8, 9, 10 and jack, a point should be added. Half of the points should be deducted if three of the cards of the same suit.
Each hand should be in between 0 45 points. The cards with 20 and above points should be played with.
The Cappelletti Omaha Point count system is a very efficient system. All the points are to be added. If the points exceeds 10 then calling is favorable and if exceeds 16 then raising is favorable. The pairs are evaluated as following
For flushes A p=6 points, K p= 5 points, Q p= 3 points, J p= 2 points, p p =1.5 points. Where p stands for any card in the same suit.
In case of straights, 2 consecutive cards equal 2 points. Two cards missing one position equal 2points. Two cards missing two position equal 1 point. Three card and four card bonus is 2 points. There are a few pairs which shouldn’t be considered like the A 2, A 3 and A 4. There are a few exceptions, like J 10 equivalent to 10 points and 4 2 is 2 points.
The unpaired cards are given bonus such as, A 10 is 1 point and 9 7 is 0.5 point each. Bonus is always given based on the position. Last card is 2 points and second last is a single point.
