Re: # of Omaha Starting hands
The correct answer is
13^4 = 28,561
I think the best way to explain why is to use a HE example. We all know there are 169 different starting HE examples (again assuming K [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]Q [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] = K [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]Q [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] = any KQ suited, but is different than KQo). Your first card can be one of the 13 ranks. Your second card can be one of the 13 ranks (if we said twelve here then you could NEVER have a pocket pair). So,
13^2 = 169
Likewise for Omaha. If it were 13*12*11*10 then a hand like four aces would not be possible. In fact, your hand would always have four different ranks of cards.
In case you're interested, the number of Omaha starting hands if suits matter is
C(52,4) = 270,725
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