"Every form of Poker requires a blend of skills. But in Omaha Hi-Lo, hand selection far outweighs other skills. Because any hand that is possible is also probable in Omaha Hi-Lo, you need not be an expert at reading your opponents. Just reading the community cards to ascertain the best possible hand is usually enough. Bluffing, too, is not nearly as important in Omaha Hi-Lo as in other forms of Poker.

For example, if you are playing Hold'em and all the cards are out, you may be successful if you try to bluff against one or two opponents. But not in Omaha Hi-Lo. With four starting cards in their hands, each player has six starting combinations. Trying to bluff two players is like trying to run a bluff against a dozen starting hand combinations. The tactic's not going to work most of the time.

In fact, if you never bluffed at all in Omaha Hi-Lo, you'd probably be better off.

Because one does not need to bluff, or even possess the ability to read his opponents, the critical skill required to win at this game is hand selection.

Some players start with almost any four cards, and if you can exert the discipline to wait for good starting cards—hands that are coordinated, with cards that support each other in some discernable way—you can have an edge over most of your opponents."¹

1. Reprinted with permission, from "Poker for Dummies", by Richard D. Harroch and Lou Krieger, IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. ©2000