Because each player is dealt four cards in Omaha 8-or-better players often make the mistake of thinking this game can be played quite loose. They are fooled into playing a lot of hands that are, in fact, quite unplayable. Omaha 8-or-better is actually a game that in many ways plays tighter than hold'em. For example, it is much less correct to call weak in the blinds in Omaha than in hold'em where merely the price that the pot offers is often enough to call.
The reason for Omaha playing so tight is ironically the same reason people think they can play so many hands: because each player is dealt four hole cards. Just this fact greatly increases the likelihood that someone has a huge starting hand or flops the nuts once the board is down. As an example, if the board in hold'em is 678KQ and you have a set of kings you have a huge hand. The likelihood of someone having the straight against you is very, very small. If you have the same set of kings in Omaha eight-or-better your hand is actually quite weak. This is because there are three possible straights out against you (the 45,59, and 9T) and because everyone has four hole cards the likelihood of someone having one of these combinations is greatly increased. Add to that the fact that you are likely only getting half the pot as there is a possible low available and your hand really loses strength.
Starting hand selection, as in any poker game, is the most important aspect of playing winning Omaha. Whether or not to enter a pot is the biggest decision you will make during any hand. Here are the top mistakes players tend to make when selecting starting hands in Omaha 8/b.
Top
