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Review of Wilson Software’s Turbo Omaha High/Low Split Version 3

Turbo Omaha High/Low Split Version 3 only supports limit play. This is almost always the form found in brick & mortar casinos, but pot-limit Omaha high/low has some popularity online. This program will be no help with that, but if you like to play the limit game, this just might be the program for you.

The advisor
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The advisor uses a point count to determine whether you should fold, call, or raise before the flop. (Your CPU opponents also use a point count.) Point-count systems are not perfect, and the systems in this program are no exception. The biggest problem with point-count systems is that they look at only two cards at a time (aside from being dealt three-of-a-kind or more than two of a suit in the whole). The whole of an Omaha hand can be much more than the sum of its parts, because combined elements have more potential to create a monster draw. The point-count is also not appropriate for all situations. For example, if you play heads-up, some point-count systems will flounder seriously here and if you follow them, you will fold too many hands.

One solution to the latter problem is to use more than one point-count system, and that’s exactly what the advisor does. There are two versions of the advisor, one for tight games, and one for loose games, and it will switch between the two automatically (unless you switch the advisor from “automatic” to “manual”), and they use different point-count systems. However, it seems clear to me that it wasn’t designed with shorthanded play especially in mind, although you can come up with a point-count system for it. Also, using two point-count systems is just confusing. I can easily imagine a poor neophyte mixing up the two systems and getting the wrong number. Point-count systems are supposed to make things easier, not harder!

That said, point-count systems can be a good way to figure out what’s an acceptable hand and what isn’t. You just need to be aware that they are not anywhere near the be-all and end-all of pre-flop play in any form of Omaha.

Graphics
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Wislon Glitch

I have experienced a graphic glitch or two in the program. One may have just been a rare problem, but the one pictured here occurs frequently. This is due to an error in the layout of the advisor screen: an unimportant note (that AT is being treated the same as AJ) about the high part of the hand is displayed in the area for the low portion of the hand, causing overlapping text. I don’t think it’s a critical problem, but it’s there.

Conclusion
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I haven’t had much to say, but that’s because this program is a typical Wilson Software offering (which is pretty good). For all the details about Wilson Software, read my review of them. It contains all the good stuff which I skipped in this review.

The following statements evaluate this software package as a whole, on its own merit, not just how it differs from the other Wilson Software products. I’ll still make comparisons to the other products, however, where they’re similar.

The Good:
* Strong opponents
* Useful advisor features
* Ability to create new opponents
* Solid simulation capabilities

The Bad:
* Point-count system seems inadequate, especially for shorthanded play
* No pot-limit play
* No tournaments
* Some interface quirks
* No uninstaller

AI: 7/10
It seems to rely a tad too much on point-count systems, but I think it’s good. (Don’t take my word for it, though, since I’m not that good an Omaha player. Try out the demo version and see for yourself.) Shorthanded play could be a bit better, too.

Features: 8/10
Everything that’s really needed is there, but they could have added a bit more.

Graphics: 6/10
Bland, but bearable.

Sound: 7/10
The same sounds and voices as in other Wilson Software products.

User interface: 5/10
Same quirks as other Wilson Software products.

Overall (not an average): 8/10
Still given a high score despite individual ratings just because of what it can do for the game of the average player.

VERDICT: Buy it if you intend to play this game a lot, but it might not help you understand how to play it heads-up or three-handed.

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