Which PLO hand is the winner? Full Analysis

 

Player Hands:

• Player A: 3♣ 4♠ 5♣ 6♠

• Player B: K♣ 7♣ 6♣ 6♦

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Board:

2♣ 2♠ 2♥ 2♦ A♣
(That’s quads on board – four 2s!)

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Analysis:

Step 1: Best 5-card Hand for Each Player

Board Alone:

• 2♣ 2♠ 2♥ 2♦ A♣ = Quad twos with an ace kicker

Now let’s figure out what 5-card hand each player can make using exactly 2 hole cards + 3 board cards.

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Player A (3♣, 4♠, 5♣, 6♠):

• Can only use two of those cards + three board cards.

• Best combo: 5♣ and 6♠ (or any two; none help really)

• Resulting hand: 2♣ 2♠ 2♥ 2♦ A♣ — quad 2s with ace kicker

No better kicker available; all Player A can do is match the board.

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Player B (K♣, 7♣, 6♣, 6♦):

• Let’s try 6♣ and 6♦ → that gives two sixes

• Combine with 3 twos from the board and the ace:

  • 2♣ 2♠ 2♥ 6♣ 6♦ = Full house: twos full of sixes

BUT WAIT — that’s illegal in Omaha. You must use exactly 2 cards from your hand and exactly 3 from the board. So let's test valid combos.

Try 6♣ and K♣ → with 2♣ 2♠ A♣:

• Nope, that’s only three twos.

Try 6♣ and 6♦ with 2♣ 2♠ A♣:

• That’s two 6s and two 2s and an ace — still not better than four 2s.

Ah! Here's the key:

Best Hand Player B Can Make:

• Hole cards: 6♣ and 6♦

• Board: 2♣ 2♠ 2♥ A♣ → select three cards

= 2♣ 2♠ 2♥ 6♣ 6♦ → Full House (twos full of sixes)

Best Hand Player A Can Make:

• Any two cards + 2♣ 2♠ A♣ = just quad 2s with an ace kicker

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✅ Result: Player A Wins

Quad 2s with Ace kicker beats full house (2s full of 6s).
Even though Player B has a made full house, the board gives everyone quads, and kicker determines the winner.

• Player A: 2♣ 2♠ 2♥ 2♦ A♣ → Quad 2s with Ace kicker

• Player B: 2♣ 2♠ 2♥ 2♦ 6♣ → Quad 2s with Six kicker

🏆 Winner: Player A