What Separates The Good From The Great?

[uahphysics 0]

In a recent cardplayer article(the one that's not out yet, but on the cardplayer website...with scotty nguyen on the cover) Scotty said that he would challenge anyone at anystakes at O8B. Now, in Hold 'em, the best in the world are usually known for their creativity and ability to mix it up and make the most money, but in a game like O8B where its a little more straightfoward, what makes Scotty, or anyone for that matter, considered the best in the world? With less room to get *cute*, is there a certain trait or ability that makes these pros the best at O8B?

[bdc30 0]

In a word, I'll say "aggression"Seems like in O8B, it's a lot tougher to call a big bet from a fearless player when you're looking at 4 uncoordinated cardswith very few live draws. Those who can develop that fearless aggression seem to prosperat the highest level.

[Chamonyx 0]

I remember seeing an interview with Greg Raymer during last year's WSOP, just before one of the O8 events:Greg: Many players think they are the best NLHE player in the world, but most of them KNOW they are the best Omaha Hi/Lo player.There is plenty of room to "get cute" in HU LO8 - and the critical factor is controlled aggression. You are trying to win more when you get better hands than your opponent and lose less when you don't. The first part is the more straightforward.

[JacKingOff_suit 0]

Yeah I agree that aggression is one of the elements, I've seen some excellent 2K players, not only they are intelligent but they are all aggressive pricks.I think another element is the ability of handling downswing when things turn sour.

[moneytoburn 0]

I have become addicted to heads up limit hi/low lately. So much that will not even play 3 handed. Something about that game which is so appealing in terms of being able to get deep inside opponents head and just trying to extract every possible chip that they will let you have. Being able to instantly switch it up when they start to adjust and just really sticking it to them in ways they just cant seem to understand. I have had people in last week call me a bot, lucky ass etc. Very fun. As for what makes the best players. It is the same as in any game, aggression with superior post flop play. Being able to adapt to table and play style that is fit to winning. The most important thing in all cash games, being able to minimise your losses and maximise you wins. I cant tell you how many times I have seen the better PLO8 players beat a game for 5x or 6x a buy in, while almost never seeing a weaker player beating the game for more than 3x. For being a good PLO8 player specifically, it may require a bit more math and ability to be rational. By rational, I mean being able to lay down THE NUTS when times see fit. This is something that many many Holdem players simply can and will not do EVER.

[greatwhite 0]

I think it's agression and hand reading. Some people in my 30-60 game peddle the nuts which may work just fine in the lower limits. However, the biggest mistakes that I think people make is they don't take in account what their opponents raise with. If you know your opponent only raises with A2 or AA o8 becomes more like a hold'em game, only missing 2 or your opponents cards. I mean if the board is K3Q and my opponent needs an A2 or AA to raise how could you fold your A34Q? I raise or check/raise every time. They can only have so many hands that beat you.