Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) is an exciting version of poker which is growing in popularity.
It’s different from Texas Hold’em 👏 and more difficult to master, but those who take the
time to learn good strategy stand a better chance of 👏 making a profit playing PLO poker.
Here are some basic strategies that successful Pot Limit Omaha players use.
Don’t
overestimate your 👏 hand
Remember, the two additional hole cards in PLO strengthen the
average hand compared to Texas Hold’em, so don’t assume that 👏 a hand that would be
strong in Hold’em will be as strong in Omaha. In addition, the value of a 👏 good hand is
not as dominant meaning your percentages are reduced. The strongest hand on the flop
still only has 👏 a slight advantage over a set of four random cards so betting the
minimum to stay in the hand is 👏 a common PLO poker strategy.
Don’t be fooled by hole
card sequences
Being dealt with what looks like the beginning of a 👏 straight may tempt
you into betting, but remember, you’ll have to discard two of your hole cards and it’s
unlikely 👏 you’ll have a winning hand by the river. The nature of the game means that the
winning hands in Pot 👏 Limit Hold’em are often much stronger than in the Texas
variation.
Don’t play small pairs
If you are dealt a small pair, 👏 the chances are your
hand will fail at the flop. If you are lucky enough to draw a set, it 👏 is likely to get
beaten by a higher value hand. Low-value pairs are nothing to get excited about in
PLO.
Small 👏 flushes are easily beaten
Any flush less than queen high is likely to get
beaten in a game featuring several opponents. 👏 Unless you have a nut flush, you should
proceed with extreme caution.
Your discarded hole cards have an effect on the 👏 game
If
you are dealt two aces, a king and a queen, you will most likely play the two aces. But
👏 you will play the hand knowing that at least one king and one queen is out of the game.
Therefore, 👏 your hand has more value than if you played two aces after being dealt two
aces, a four and a 👏 three.
Don’t try and bluff your way through a hand
Bluffing is not
very effective as an Omaha poker strategy. Players usually 👏 play to the strength of
their hand, so will continue even if you try and call their bluff. Your bluffing 👏 could
actually expose you as a weak player and give your opponents an advantage. That’s not
to say bluffing does 👏 not have its place in Omaha strategy, but it is used much more
sparingly and at opportune moments.
