Pot Limit Omaha Poker Strategies

Pot Limit Omaha Poker is an exciting poker game which requires a lot of skill and patience to master. Though derived from Texas Hold’em poker, it is different since the 4 hole cards come into play. Further, owing to this game’s pot-limit betting style, PLO is the perfect example of why poker is a game of skill. There are many things that a player has to be wary of while learning PLO. In this section below, we have tried to compile some Pot Limit Omaha Poker Strategies to enhance your skill set.

Pot-Limit Omaha Poker Strategy

PLO poker strategy will help you understand and master the game. So, Here are some PLO poker strategies:

• Do not get attached to AAXX hands
• Don’t be fooled by hole card sequences
• Watch the Pot
• Have Patience
• Do not slow play
• Play tight when out of position
• Be a smart bluff master
• Do not play small rundown hands
• Don’t tilt on Bad Beats
• Bankroll Management

Do not get attached to AAXX hands

The biggest gameplay mistake any player makes while transitioning from Texas Holdem to Pot Limit Omaha is overrating the strength of AAXX hands. It is simply because of the strong reputation of pocket aces in Holdem. Every Omaha pro suggests not being excited about such hole cards and better looking for other possibilities apart from this single pair. Instead of raising and re-raising, you should carefully preflop with AAXX hole cards. In further rounds, after monitoring your opponent’s moves and seeing the community cards, you may opt to play aggressively if it helps.

Don’t be fooled by hole card sequences

The cards can fool you in Omaha; they make you initially think you have a good hand. But remember, your opponents might have a better hand than you. You also have to remember that you have to discard two cards and can use only two.

Watch the Pot

In Pot Limit Omaha, you must bet wisely based on the pot size, as you can’t bet beyond the pot limit. Based on the strength of your hole cards and the card combinations that form in further rounds, you should draw adequate money from opponents in the pot. With good cards, betting at least 2/3rd of the pot size is the best strategy in PLO as it keeps your opponents interested in betting more without exposing you to a big risk. You need to be tactical while raising and re-raising in Pot Limit Omaha so that your opponents do not fold away and the pot keeps growing steadily so that you can win in the end.

Be Patient

In Pot Limit Omaha, the hand possibilities change unexpectedly with every community card opening. So, it is advised to be patient and watchful during the game. You may require folding several hole cards, but remember you are saving your bankroll this way for better hands. So, you should focus on playing the best hands only. A patient mind could win you more money than playing wildly with every hand you are dealt.

Do Not Slow Play

Every player's biggest mistake at some point in Pot Limit Omaha is not drawing the correct value out of the big hands. This comes naturally in their gameplay from Texas Holdem. Playing slow in Omaha downgrades the value of your hand, as with every card opening on the table, the outs and odds change abruptly. Instead of slow play, you should look to bet enough in the pot, which makes your opponent pay more to see the next card. This helps you maintain a stronghold of the game and lets you dominate your opponents until showdown.

Play Tight When Out of Position

Your table position becomes more important when playing Pot Limit Omaha. The best Omaha strategy is to play tight out of position, as you don’t know what’s coming your way from the opponents. So, you should bet cautiously, even with strong hole cards, when out of position. However, playing in position has perks, such as making decisions after watching your opponent’s moves. But, while playing out of position, it is suggested not to raise or re-raise preflop, which saves you bankroll for the next rounds, in which you could have an idea of what your opponents are chasing down.

Be a Bluff Master

Bluffing is a smart strategy when betting in poker, and the same goes for Pot Limit Omaha. But, you need to be more careful while bluffing in Omaha as the number of hands possibilities multiplies in this format. Your opponents may re-raise or even keep calling your bluffed bet because community cards tend to change all the proportions. The best Omaha strategy is to bluff in the later rounds, say, Turn or River, rather than the early hand, like preflop and flop. Also, you should look for the number of players remaining in the hand before bluffing, as it becomes easy to bluff one or two players rather than many.

Do Not Play Small Rundown Hands

Regardless of the suit, a small rundown hand is like an A234 or a 3456. Such hands don’t qualify to form even the top 3 hands on the table in Pot Limit Omaha because of the highly fluctuating nuts on every street. You’ll always be at a high risk of losing or folding after betting a sizeable amount in the game. Remember, in Omaha, you should be chasing top hands on the table, contrary to low hands like one pair or two pairs in Holdem. Hence, avoiding playing these small rundown hands is regarded as a good Omaha strategy in the long run.

Don’t Tilt on Bad Beats

Like other poker variants, you may also hit a bad beat in Pot Limit Omaha. The best thing to avoid them is to be watchful rather than going on intuitions. Even if you face a bad beat, you should move on. Avoid getting frustrated, as it may hamper your future hands. Players often continue their game in a mood that is not at all profitable in any sense. You can also choose to take a break and re-join the game with new strategies to amplify your bankroll.

Bankroll Management

Maintaining a bankroll is very important in Pot Limit Omaha. Bankroll helps you afford your bets and support your game during downswings. Consider the ROI and affordability if you lose your stakes before making bets on a table. Your bankroll must be based on the total games you play, stakes, buy-in, expertise, table size, and payout structure. A healthy bankroll helps you focus on the game and saves you from financial troubles in your day-to-day life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to get better at Pot Limit Omaha?

Learn the basics, understand the rules, and practice to improve at Pot Limit Omaha.

What is the best starting hand in Pot Limit Omaha?

AAKK is double-suited is the best starting hand in Pot Limit Omaha. Other strong hands include AAJT double-suited.

Conclusion

The article has covered all the Pot Limit Omaha strategy you need to master the Pot Limit Omha. It is a fun and exciting game. So, what are you waiting for? Call your friends and sit for a game or two. Join Adda52 PLO tables and win. You can even create a private table, invite friends, and play.