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.
Beginner Pot Limit Omaha Strategy
- Introduction To Pot Limit Omaha — The Where, What and Why Of Omaha Poker – A Great Primer For Players New To The Game!
- Some PLO Pre Flop Notes – It is important to learn the basic pre-flop theories before advancing to post flop complex scenarios.
- Working Through a Downswing – It happens us all. How we prepare and react to a downswing is what defines how good we are as poker players.
- Domination Before The Flop — Domination Is A Familiar Term For Texas Holdem Players – This Article Looks At How This Works In PLO Poker Games
- Heads-Up Pot-Limit Omaha Poker – An Introduction — Introducing Heads-Up Pot-Limit Omaha Strategy, The Key Factors To Consider.
- Playing When The Board Pairs — This Beginner PLO Poker Strategy Article Looks At Playing Both Paired Boards And Those Showing Trips.
- PLO Starting Hands Part #1 – Combinations vs High Pairs In Pot Limit Omaha — How To Pick The Best PLO Starting Hands – Omaha Hand Combinations Explained!
- PLO Starting Hands Part #2 — How To Pick The Best PLO Starting Hands – Pot Limit Omaha Starting Hand Ranks.
- PLO Starting Chart — Exclusive Omaha starting hands chart that will help you refine your ranges and make you a tougher opponent.
- PLO Beginner’s Strategy – Playing After The Flop — Raise, Call or Fold? Post Flop Pot Limit Omaha Strategy Explained!
- Bankroll Management for PLO – How Big Should Your Omaha Poker Bankroll Be? — Omaha Is A High-Variance Game, Make Sure Your Bankroll Can Withstand The PLO Swings!
- How To Increase Your Omaha Profits With PLO Table Selection — Selecting The Right Tables Can Improve Your PLO Profits!
- Opponent Types In Pot-Limit Omaha – A Light-Hearted Look At PLO Opponents — Calling Stations, Pounders and Nut-Peddlars… Common PLO Opponent Types Assessed!
- 6-Max PLO Strategy – Adjusting For 6-Max PLO Games — 6-Max PLO Is Hugely Popular – Increase Your Omaha Profits With Our Guide To 6-Max PLO Strategy.
- Adjusting To The Micro-Stakes Tables In Pot-Limit Omaha — Micro-Stakes PLO Can Be Both Profitable And Exasperating – Find Out What Adjustments To Make Here!
- Texas Holdem vs PLO – 5 Key Differences Between Holdem and Omaha Used To Texas Holdem But Keen To Try Omaha? Then This Guide Is For You.
Advanced Pot Limit Omaha Strategy
- Bluffing and Semi Bluffing in PLO — Advanced bluffing techniques are what help us to become a real pain to play against. Even better is when we still have some equity when bluffing.
- Slow playing On the Flop in PLO — Slow playing isn’t always advised in PLO due to the high chance of getting out drawn. We have looked at some times when slow playing is actually a great line to take.
- Killer Cards In Omaha Poker — Introduction To The Concept Of Killer Cards In Omaha Poker.
- Short Stacking In PLO Cash Games An Introduction To Short Stack Omaha Strategy — Short Stacking Will Win You Many Pots – But Little Respect From Fellow Omaha Players. Here We Introduce The Basics Of Short-Stacked PLO Strategy.
- Short-Stacking In PLO – Part #2, – Tables, Seats and Sites! — Taking PLO Short Stacking To A More Profitable Level With Some Simple Yet Effective Table And Seat Selection Criteria.
- The PLO Bluffing Guide Part #1 – Effective Bluffs In Pot-Limit Omaha — Omaha Is A Game Of Nut Hands – Is There A Place For Bluffing?
- Jeff Hwang’s Omaha Poker Strategy — Jeff Hwang Authored One Of The Best Pot-Limit Omaha Strategy Books To Come Out In Many Years
- Blockers In PLO – How And When To Play Your Blockers In Pot Limit Omaha — Are Blockers Worth The Risk In Online PLO Games – Find Out Here!
- Double Suited Hands In PLO — How Big A Difference Does Double-Suitedness Make? Hand Matchups In PLO – Looking At How Much Difference Holding A Double Suited Hand Makes To Your Equity
- Playing A Full House In Pot Limit Omaha Poker – Beware of the ‘Underfull’ — Non-Nut Full Houses Can Be Very Profitable When The Circumstances Are Right, However, In Pot Limit Omaha Not All Full Houses Are Equal.
- Difference Between Buy-In Levels Pot-Limit Omaha — Check Our Guide To The Difference Between The Buy-in Levels From The Micros Through To The Mid-Stakes In Pot-Limit Omaha Games!
- Wraps In Pot-Limit Omaha – Part #1 — Straight Draws In Pot Limit Omaha Can Be Huge – ‘Wraps’ With 16, 17 Or Even 20 Outs Are Possible In PLO Poker.
- Uncommon Plays — We look at unusual plays in PLO that are not seen widely in NLHE. This guide will help you take your thought process wider to that of a NLHE player.
