It may have been around for generations, but the appeal of poker is only growing. And, thanks to online poker websites, this fan-favorite casino game of strategy, skill, and luck is reaching more and more people. 

The internet has made it easier for people to learn and play a number of different poker variations online, both for fun and for real money. The different variations of the game have only helped extend poker’s reach, appealing to a wider, more diverse group of players. While most poker games will follow the same basic principles, each type of poker game has a different set of rules to follow, which means that you will need a different strategy depending on what variant you’re playing. 

Here we’ll be looking at Pot-Limit Omaha poker and what it entails, as well as how it differs from other popular poker games such as Texas hold’em. Keep reading to find out more about what could be your new favorite poker variation. 

What is Pot-Limit Omaha?

Texas hold’em is probably the most popular type of poker, but if you’re looking for a new challenge, Omaha poker is the next best step. It has become increasingly more popular in recent years, and some enthusiasts even predict that it will soon overtake hold’em in terms of popularity. The good news is, because PLO and Texas hold’em have the same basic rules (apart from a few minor differences, which this guide will cover), if you can play one of them, you’re in a good position to learn how to play the other. So, switching from Omaha to hold’em isn’t as difficult as you may think.

So, what is PLO poker? Omaha, or Omaha hold’em, is a popular poker variation that has each player receive four hole cards (cards that can only be seen by the player) and five community cards (that can be seen by everyone). In this game, each player must use two of their hole cards and three of the community cards to form the best possible hand. This game has four rounds of betting that operate the same way as Texas Hold’em, but there are a handful of differences.

What Does Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) Mean?

The term “Pot Limit” is used to refer to games where betting is limited to the current size of the pot. So, what this means is that players won’t be able to make a bet that exceeds the pot or go “All-in” like they would in No-Limit games. The purpose of the Pot-Limit restriction is usually to reduce extreme fluctuations in your bankroll, especially in games like Omaha, where you often get strong hands or drawing opportunities on the flop.

Pot-Limit Omaha has a few distinct differences from a no-limit poker game. The maximum bet is the size of the pot, and this includes your call. Suppose the pot is $2,000, which consists of a $1,000 pre-flop (the first betting round in the game) and a $1,000 pot bet from the first to act. The maximum bet will be increased to $4,000 if you add the $1,000 pre-flop, the $1,000 first call, and the $1,000 bet from the first to act. The $3,000 raise with your $1,000 call adds up to $4,000. 

Omaha vs. Texas Hold’em: Key Differences

While the object of both poker variants is to create the best possible five-card hand (using a combination of five community cards and the hole cards), the biggest difference between Texas hold’em and Omaha is the structure of the winning hand and the number of cards that players are dealt at the start of the round. 

In Omaha, players are dealt four hold cards and need to make their five-card hand using three of the community cards and two hold cards. In Texas hold’em on the other hand, players are dealt two hold cards and are able to use any combination of the community and hold cards to make up their winning hand. 

The starting hands in Omaha are unlikely to have any distinct advantage compared to those in Texas hold’em. This is because more players see the flop, and it’s uncommon for one hand to completely dominate another. The average strength of a winning hand is much higher in Omaha, and to win a hand, you’ll need to have the best possible hand at that moment — this is called the “nuts.”

Omaha is a hand-driven game, and there are fewer opportunities to bluff as more players are betting on huge draws or hands instead of bluffs. While your position is usually regarded as one of the most important factors in poker, in Omaha, it loses some of its value because of the reduced ability to bluff. Your position at an Omaha table will usually be used to gauge value-betting amounts and odds. 

PLO Poker Rules: How to Play Pot-Limit Omaha

If you want to learn how to play PLO poker, there are a few things you will need to keep in mind. Firstly, Pot-Limit Omaha and Standard Omaha follow the same set of rules apart from the aforementioned betting limit. Whether you’re playing online poker or you’re at the casino, the game will always have the following rules unless stated otherwise. 

The Rounds

Pot-Limit Omaha uses a few phrases to describe the rounds, and you’ll need to be familiar with them before you get started: 

• The pre-flop: The opening Pot Limit Omaha betting round, which is also known as the “blinds,” where some players need to place a bet, and others will decide to fold, call, or raise.
• The flop: The second betting round, where players will decide which move to make once the community cards have been dealt.
• The turn: The third betting round, where the players will decide which move to make after another community card on the board.
• The river: The final betting round, where the players will decide which move to make after the last community card is placed on the board.
• The showdown: The players who haven’t folded will then reveal their hands.

These rounds are the same in standard poker games and online poker tournaments, so be sure that you understand the format of the game before playing for real money. If you decide to play poker online, there will usually be some indication of the round and what you’ll need to do next.

Other Terms

There are a few generic poker terms that need to be learned too. This includes the following terms:

• Call: To add the minimum amount of cash to a pot to continue playing.
• Fold: To give up by placing your cards face-down on the table. This will result in the loss of your bet. 
• Raise: To bet more than the minimum amount of cash that’s required to call. This forces other players to add more money to the pot. 

To effectively learn how to play poker, regardless of the variant, learning the terms associated with each game will make your life much easier. Borgata Online has online poker guides to help you learn more. They can provide you with a great poker tournament strategy and a range of information regarding everything that you’ll need to know. 

The Basis of Any Pot Limit Omaha Strategy

This doesn’t feature intricate strategies but rather a few things that you should look out for when playing in online poker tournaments or a casual game. These can form the basis of any PLO poker strategy and are as follows:

• Exercise patience: When you’re dealt your starting hand, it’s best to be patient, as any four cards are not always worth playing. Wait until the next round to see what’s available and proceed to work from there.
• Aces don’t mean much: A lone pair of Aces doesn’t mean much in Omaha, but they can form a strong hand. Unless these cards improve on the flop, you’re unlikely to win the pot.
• Bluffing is uncommon: PLO poker doesn’t involve much bluffing, and if it happens, it’s not a vital part of the strategy. This game focuses on strong hands as the true show of strength. 
• The nuts are your best bet: Drawing until you get to the best possible hand is a great way to play. While there will be times when playing a weaker draw can help, the nuts are always the best option.
• Forget about Texas hold’em poker: By overvaluing one or two-pair hands, you can land yourself in trouble as there are “wrap” draws with up to 20 outs. An out is a card that will improve your hand. 

As you can see, PLO offers a unique spin on a popular game that compels players to adopt a new approach. This is why many players switch to PLO, as it allows a fresh element of excitement as you attempt to deploy new strategies and play with different hands. 

Play the Best Online Poker Games With Borgata

Few online poker sites can match what Borgata Online has to offer, and here you can enjoy some of the best poker titles available. But that’s not all, as you’ll have a large collection of poker games at your disposal, so there’s no fear of getting bored. Sign up today to play a variety of poker games and participate in many ongoing tournaments.