If you want to check out a classic example of how slow-playing in Omaha can backfire, then look no further than a recent hand from the Durrrr Challenge’s December play. In it, Patrik Antonius flopped trip queens holding 6-6-Q-Q on a board of A-Q-2. Contrastingly, Tom “durrrr” Dwan held 3-8-4-7 for a straight draw to a five and what ESPN announcer Norman Chad would label “squadoosh.” Antonius checked his trips and Dwan fired out $12,200. Antonius made the call and, sure enough, the turn came a five, filling Dwan’s straight. Antonius checked thinking he had the best hand, Dwan bet $46,000, and Antonius called all-in for his last $42,000 and change. The river was a king, shipping the $131,000 up for grabs to Dwan after a fancy suckout. That was easy!
DurrrrChallenge.com sat down with PokerXFactor.com instructor Chris “Fox” Wallace to break down this debacle of a hand for Antonius.
DurrrrChallenge.com: Slow-playing seemed to have backfired here, right?
Chris Wallace: Patrik Antonius played his hand really badly. He had a pretty safe hand because there weren’t many straight or flush draws on the board. That’s why he just called on the flop. Durrrr’s just making a continuation bet because he was the last raiser pre-flop, but it’s crazy to slow-play. Slow-playing out of position is even crazier.
DurrrrChallenge.com: Should we just avoid slow-playing in Omaha altogether?
Chris Wallace: It’s crazy to slow play in Omaha at all. Your hand can be cracked so easily. There are so many cards that can make your opponents’ hands. This is a great spot for Antonius to do it, but what if Dwan has something like K-J-10-9? You’re letting him draw cheaply. Here, the pot is too big already.
DurrrrChallenge.com: How should Antonius have played this hand?
Chris Wallace: The right way to play this would have been to check-raise the flop. If your opponent folds, you’re still scooping $33,000. That’s not so terrible.
