The mechanics of Omaha high are identical to those of Omaha/8. Everything looks the same: four-card hands, blinds, and board. But there are some major differences in strategy:

- Ditch low hands: A hand like A-2-3-4 is a powerhouse in Omaha/ 8, because it can easily make the best low hand. But it's a real dog in Omaha when it's played for high. Dump it!

- Mid-range is OK: In Omaha/8, you'd seldom play a hand like 9-87-6. If you make the best possible straight, you'll probably have to give up half the pot to a better low hand, and if you make the low end of a straight like 8-9-T-J-Q, one of your opponents might have a bigger one. On the other hand, you never have to worry that half the pot will be snatched out from under your nose when you're playing Omaha high.

- Big Flushes: If you're going to make a flush, make it a big one - preferably the nut (ace-high) flush. There's nothing more frustrating than making your flush, only to lose to a larger one. For obvious reasons, it's better to make a straight, rather than a flush, with a hand like 9-8-7-6.

- Wrap it: Barring paired board cards (signifying possible full houses or even four-of-a-kind), straights and flushes are the name of the games. But without three cards of the same suit on the board, it's impossible for anyone to make a flush. That's where wraps come into play. A player has a wrap hand if his down cards consist of four consecutive or nearly consecutive cards. These cards can combine with those on the board to form straights. For example, with down cards of 10-9-6-5 and a flop of K-8-7, a player will have a straight if the turn or river brings one of 20 cards: any ten, nine, six, or five (three of each of these remain); any of the four remaining jacks; or one of the four remaining fours.

• Seven-Card Stud Eight-or-Better, High/Low Split
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