Explanation of Rundown
A rundown is the equivalent of a “suited connector” or “suited gapper” in Hold’em, aside from the key difference that it involves four cards instead of two. The best rundowns have zero gaps i.e JT98 or AKQJ, but they can still be extremely playable holdings even when containing gaps.
As examples of gapped rundowns, the starting hand T876 is described as having “top gap” since the gap in the rundown appears at the top of the hand. T986 would be described as “bottom gap” and T865 would be described as “double gap” (since there are two gaps in the rundown).
Rundowns can also be made using only three cards for example A987ss. This would simply be described as a “three-card rundown”.
Rundowns are described by their highest card, for example T976ss would be described as a “Ten-high doubled-suited rundown with mid gap”
Example of Rundown used in a sentence -> Rundowns are more valuable when the gap is either at the bottom of the rundown structure or when the rundown has no gap at all.
How to Use Rundown as Part of Your Poker Strategy
When dealing with Omaha rundowns players must take into account both the size of the gap and the position of the gap. Smaller gaps are preferable where possible, and it’s considered favourable to have our gap at the bottom of our rundown structure rather than the top. T986ss is hence considered a more favourable starting hand than T876ss. Gaps towards the top of a rundown make it more likely a player will flop non-nut straight draws which can be problem hands in Omaha.
Despite this, it is interesting to note that the absolute biggest Omaha wrap can only be flopped when holding a rundown with a two-gap in its structure such as T965. Despite potentially making a wrap having as many as 20 outs, it’s important to remember that nut-draws are significantly more useful than non-nut draws in PLO, so the 20 out wrap is not generally considered the best possible wrap despite having the most outs.
As a general guide higher rundowns are stronger than mid or low rundowns. I.e. QJT9 is stronger than 7654. The lower our rundown the more likely it is that our opponent will have redraws when we make the nuts.
See Also
Omaha, Wrap, Gap, Connector, Suited, Hold’em, Straight, Nuts
