This concludes all of the rules developed for Omaha/8 starting hands. A guide for applying and learning these rules follows Rule 64.
RULE 47. Eliminate any hand containing an A-4 when combined with a pair of fives through queens when non-suited, or a pair of fives through jacks when low suited, or a pair of sixes through nines when back suited, or a pair of sevens through nines when high suited.
RULE 48. Eliminate any hand containing an A-5 when paired with a bandit regardless of how suited, when combined with a pair of sixes or tens and not double suited, and a pair of jacks when non-suited.
RULE 49. Eliminate any hand beginning with an A-4 or A-5 that does not contain a pair and ends with a 9-6 through 9-K.
RULE 50. Eliminate all starting hands beginning with A-4-8 that are not double suited.
RULE 51. Except for A-4-5-K all L2L eliminate starting hands beginning with A-4-5 thru A-4-K.
RULE 52. Except for pairs eliminate any hand beginning with A-T or A-J that is not double suited.
RULE 53. Eliminate any remaining hand starting with A-5-6-T.
RULE 54. Eliminate any starting hand beginning with A-4-7 when combined with an eight thru a queen and suited H2L, H2M, H2H.
RULE 55. Eliminate any hand beginning with an A-4-6 when combined with a seven thru Queen and suited H2L, and when combined with an eight thru jack and suited H2M, and when combined with an 8-Q and suited H2M.
RULE 56. Eliminate A-4-5-9 when suited H2L, H2M or H2H.
RULE 57. Except for pairs, eliminate any hand beginning with A-3-9 that is not double suited except for those containing a ten.
RULE 58. Except for pairs, eliminate any hand beginning with A-3-8 that is suited L2L, 2HM or 2HL and does not end with a king.
RULE 59. Except for pairs, eliminate any starting hand that begins with A-3-7 or A-3-6 that is suited L2L, 2HM or 2HL and does not end with a king.
RULE 60. Eliminate any starting hand that begins with A-3-5 and ends with an eight thru ten that is suited L2L, 2HL or 2HM.
RULE 61. Eliminate any starting hand that begins with an A-3-4 that ends with an eight that is suited L2L, 2HL or 2HM.
RULE 62. Eliminate any hand beginning with A-5 and ends with a single ten regardless of how suited.
RULE 63. Eliminate the A-3-8-9 starting hands when suited H2L, H2H or H2M.
RULE 64. Eliminate any starting hand containing an A-2-6, A-2-7, A-2-8 or A-2-9 when unsuited except for A-2-6-K.
The best way to use the rules is to memorize them, by reading and reviewing them once a day and practice the exercise at the end of this article.
Rules are grouped into like categories such as hands containing one ace, or those containing a pair. You should group your starting hands accordingly. You may also find it helpful to memorize the rules by groups. How difficult is it to remember not to play any starting hand containing four of a kind?
Try to learn those rules without the exceptions first. For example, do not play any starting hands that contain a set. You will eliminate a few very profitable hands. But how difficult is it to go back and remember to play A-A-A-2? In most cases the exceptions are very logical and usually refer to the best possible combinations when the exception is to include, or the worst combination, when the exclusion is to exclude.
Another learning technique is to take a rule or two with you each day when you play. Write it down and follow it precisely at the table.
Repetition is the key to all learning. Repetition develops habits. When we can look at a four cards and not have to consciously categorize the hand and apply the proper rule we truly have it committed to memory. We do tie our shoelaces without having to think about how to do it. When starting hand selection becomes habit, you will be well on our way to playing winning poker.
Shuffle a deck of cards. Turn over four cards at a time. Group the hand from high to low. Find the rule that applies and read the decision criteria. Look back at the hand and say to yourself this is a playable or non-playable starting hand. Remove the left most card and add the next card off the deck to the right of the first four. Repeat the exercise again and again. After a week or so you will be well on your way to developing a habit.
Next time I will analyze a hand comparison that appears on the cover of my new book.
Sam Mudaro, BA, MBA, is a practicing tax accountant and financial executive with 35 years of analytical business expertise. He uses simulation software to analyze and develop strategies for Omaha/8 and other forms of poker. Reach Sam at: realguru2003@yahoo.com.
