Playing Omaha 8 or Better

  There are those who play this game as though they are letting a "Magic 8 Ball" make all their decisions for them. It is true that the famous 8 Ball is good for deciding what college to go to, where to work, or whom to marry, but one should not leave truly important decision (such as what to do during a hand of Omaha 8 or Better) up to a toy.  When playing Omaha 8 or Better the gold standard for hands are those that not only have potential to take the High part of the pot, but also the ones with a relatively decent shot at the low half as well. Let's face it: the folks who became poker players are the ones who didn't share their toys well as children. Splitting a pot is an almost obscene concept to most players.  When playing Omaha, Hole cards that have some real potential resemble the following hand: ...  This hand has much more value than a high pair. True it is a drawing hand, but it has both flush and straight potential. These cards can simultaneously build into the best high hand at the table, as well as the best low hand. If you have the nuts on both ends of the spectrum, you can expect to win at least 75% of the pot. In most circumstances you will simply come away with whole thing.  Many players get caught in a trap of placing unusually high value on hole cards that contain an Ace and a 2. This inflated value comes from the fact that this hand holds the potential to win the low half of the pot. If it is paired with rather benign cards like a 4 and a Jack, the hand loses the threat to win the high half of the pot. When playing for a win at the low end of the spectrum, you run the risk of quartering. Playing for the quarter is a good way to slowly hemorrhage money.  Your first priority should be to look for a hand that can win both halves of the pot. Following that, a hand that can win the high half is valuable (as the risk of being quartered is far lower). Lastly, seek the low hand, but don't invest too much into it. There may be somebody else out there ready to quarter you to death.