Pot Limit Omaha - How to Play, Rules & Strategy

What is Pot Limit Omaha (PLO)?

PLO Poker or Pot Limit Omaha is a poker variant with a limited pot size. PLO is a high-action variant of poker where you receive four-hole cards instead of two, making hand selection and pot control crucial. You must use two hole and three community cards to make the best five-card hand. PLO and PLO4 are interchangeable, where you get four-hole cards. PLO is further divided into PLO4, PLO5, and PLO6. The bifurcation is based on the number of hole cards you will get. In PLO 5 and PLO 6, you get five and 6-hole cards, respectively. In PLO, the maximum bet a player can make is equal to the current size of the pot, including all previous bets and calls.

How Pot Limit Omaha Differs from Texas Hold’em

The main difference between Omaha and Texas Holdem is the number of hole cards. In Texas Holdem, you get two hole cards and five community cards. You use them to make the best 5-card hand possible. In Omaha, you get four hole cards and five community cards and make the best 5-card hand possible.

How to Play Pot Limit Omaha – Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a step by steps to play and how to win at Pot Limit Omaha for Beginners:

Blinds are Posted

The game begins with two players posting blinds to make an initial pot.

• The small blind is a player sitting immediately to the dealer's left. It is usually the minimum bet for the round.
• The big blind is twice the size of the small blind.

Hole Cards are Dealt

The poker dealer then deals the four cards facing down to each player.

Preflop Betting round

The player sitting left of the big blind starts the game; they can call, raise, or fold.

The Flop

Three community cards are dealt face-up in the Flop. Then, the second round of betting starts, and players can call, raise, or fold again.

The Turn

The fourth community card is dealt with, and another betting round begins.

The River

The fifth community card is dealt in the River, and the final betting round begins.

Showdown

In the showdown, players show their hand and the best 5-card hand wins and takes the pot.

Pre-Flop Action

The small blind and the big blind place their bets to start the game. The dealer deals four cards facing down to each player. The person sitting left of the big blind, Under the Gun, begins the game. The action continues in a clockwise direction until it reaches the big blind. Here are all the actions every player has:

Call

To call is to match the previous bet. Let’s say layer A bets ₹50; you call and bet ₹50.

Check

To skip your turn. You can choose not to play in a particular round.

Raise

Increasing the previous bet. You can raise the bet amount based on your cards.

Fold

Quitting the hand.

All-In

Putting all your chips in the pot.

Betting Rounds (Pre Flop, Flop, Turn, River, Showdown)

Here’s the betting round in pot-limit Omaha:

Pre Flop

In the pre-flop round, the small blind and the big blind put their share of the money and start the pot. After that, the dealer deals four cards each to players.

Flop

In the flop, the first three community cards are dealt face-up. And the first betting round takes place.

Turn

The fourth community is dealt with face-up. And the next betting round takes place.

River

The final community card is dealt face-up, and the final betting round occurs.

Showdown

All the player show their hands, and the best 5-card hand wins.

Pot Limit Omaha Hand Rankings

The poker hand rankings in PLO are similar to the Holdem, but the strength of the same can differ due to different game structures. Here are the common and best hands in Omaha from strongest to weakest:

• Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit.
• Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards from the same suit.
• Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same ranks.
• Full House: Three of a kind and a pair.
• Flush: Five cards from the same suit, not necessarily in a sequence.
• Straight: Five cards in a sequential order.
• Three of a kind: Three cards of the same rank.
• Two Pair: Two different pairs of cards.
• Pair: Two cards of the same rank.
• High Card: The highest value card in your hand.

Betting Structures in PLO (Pot Limit, Fixed Limit, No Limit)

Here are the different types of betting in Pot Limit Omaha:

• Pot Limit: As the name suggests, the maximum amount of money you can bet equals the sum of chips in the pot.
• Fixed Limit: In Fixed Limit Omaha, bet sizes are fixed for each round, and the number of raises per round is usually capped at four.
• No Limit: There is No-Limit Omaha, but it is an uncommon variant.

Pot Limit Omaha Rules

Here are some rules of Pot Limit Omaha:

• First and foremost, you can use only two out of four hole cards to make your hand.
• Before the game begins, the small blind and the big blinds will put linds to create the pot. The big blind is double the amount of small blinds.
• The game has a betting limit. You can bet up to the pot amount.
• You should know the pot odds and the odds of making hands. This will help you decide on the action.
• You should also learn about the position you are playing from. This can help you make strategies and win the pot.

Pot Limit Omaha Variant

Here are some variations of Pot Limit Omaha:

• Omaha Hi: The highest five-card hand wins the pot.
• Fixed Limit: The bet sizes are predetermined and fixed for each round. The set and raises are limited, typically with four raises per round.
• Omaha Hi/Low: The pot is split between the highest and lowest five-card hands.

Best Starting Hands in Pot-Limit Omaha Poker

Here are the top 30 best starting hands in Pot-Limit Omaha:

Winning Strategies for Pot Limit Omaha

Here are some PLO poker strategies that can help you win Pot Limit Omaha:

• Learn the hand rankings. Although the hand ranking is somewhat the same, the strength of these hands may differ.
• Understand the table position. Learn the position you and your opponents are playing from.
• Your position at the table is crucial. In an early position, you have less information about your opponent’s actions; hence, it’s best to play tighter. In late position, you can see how others play before you, allowing more flexibility.
• Learn to manage the pot and bet size. This will help you minimise the losses.
• Know when to play aggressively and when to leave the table.
• Pay attention to your opponents’s gameplay. This may help you strategise your game.
• Learn to bluff. Bluffing can help you win the pot.  Let’s say you are on the button, and the flop is low and uncoordinated 2♣️ 7♦️ 9♠️. Even if you missed the flop, this is a good spot to represent a set or an overpair by betting. Your position’s strength and passive action make your bluff work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between PLO4 and PLO5?

The primary difference between PLO4 and PLO5 is the number of cards dealt. In PLO4, you get four-hole cards; in PLO5, you get five.

Is Pot Limit Omaha better for beginners?

Pot-limit Omaha is generally not considered ideal for beginners, as the number of hole cards can complicate the game.

What’s the best pre-flop hand in PLO?

AAKK double-suited and is the best pre-flop hand in PLO.

Why is pot limit Omaha popular?

Pot-limit Omaha is popular because it is easy to play and allows players to play with more hole cards.

What is the best hand-in-pot limit Omaha?

AAKK double-suited is the best hand in Pot Limit Omaha.

Conclusion

Pot-limit Omaha is a strategic variant of poker that offers a unique blend of complexity and fun. If you are new to the game, learn the nitty-gritty first and then practice with your friends. The game rewards skills and strategy; the better your decisions are, the bigger the reward. Practice online and level up your game. The poker game is packed with excitement and challenges that will keep you on your toes.