Difficult question! for experts only - the answer

 

The Hand

Player 1: A♠ A♦ 8♣ 8♠

Player 2: A♣ J♣ J♦ 7♣

Board: 6♦ 7♦ 8♦ 10♦ 9♦

This is Omaha, so each player must use exactly 2 of their 4 hole cards and exactly 3 cards from the board.

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🔍 Step-by-Step Breakdown

What’s on the board?

• 6♦ 7♦ 8♦ 10♦ 9♦

• That’s a five-diamond board — meaning anyone with two diamonds can make a flush.

• Also: the board alone is a straight — 6-7-8-9-10 — and if a player can use J and a lower card, a straight flush is possible.

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🧠 Analyze Player 1: A♠ A♦ 8♣ 8♠

Let’s find the best hand using exactly 2 hole cards + 3 board cards.

Diamond count:

• A♦ is only diamond — so no flush (need 2 diamonds in hand).

Try building best hand:

• Use A♦ 8♣ + 7♦ 9♦ 10♦ → that gives A♦ 10♦ 9♦ 8♣ 7♦ → not a flush (only 1 diamond in hand)

• Use 8♣ 8♠ + 8♦ 9♦ 10♦ → gives three of a kind, eights

• No way to make flush or straight

✅ Best hand: Three of a kind, Eights

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🧠 Analyze Player 2: A♣ J♣ J♦ 7♣

Let’s do the same.

Diamond count:

• Only one diamond: J♦ → no flush

Try building best hand:

• Use J♦ 7♣ + 8♦ 9♦ 10♦ → that gives J♦ 10♦ 9♦ 8♦ 7♣ — only one diamond in hand, so not a flush

Now try:

• Use J♦ 7♣ + 8♦ 9♦ 10♦ → that's 7-8-9-10-J → a Jack-high straight

✅ Best hand: Straight, 7 to J

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🏆 Final Verdict

Player	Best Hand	Description
Player 1	Three of a Kind	8♣ 8♠ 8♦ 9♦ 10♦
Player 2	Straight	7♣ 8♦ 9♦ 10♦ J♦

✅ Player 2 wins with a straight, beating Player 1’s set of eights.

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🎯 Summary

• Neither player has two diamonds → no one can make a flush

• Player 2 wins with a Jack-high straight

• Player 1 only has trips (three of a kind)