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 games that could soon become your new favorites.
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, learning 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 starts with each player receiving four hole cards (cards that can only be seen by the player), followed by five community cards (that can be seen by everyone). In this game, each player must use exactly two of their hole cards and three of the community cards to form the best possible five-card 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 value of the pot or go all-in like they would in no-limit games (without consideration of the betting cap. 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, the crux of which pertain to betting, 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 preflop (the first betting round in the game) and a $1,000 pot bet from the first player to act. The maximum bet will be increased to $4,000 if you add the $1,000 preflop, 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 hole cards and need to make their five-card hand using exactly three of the community cards and two hole cards. In Texas hold’em on the other hand, players are dealt two hole cards and are able to use any combination of the community and hole cards to make up their winning hand.
The starting hands in Omaha are viewed quite differently from Texas hold’em, in that drawing hands are more important in Omaha, high cards are much more preferred (A-A-K-K is the best starting hand), three-of-a-kind and four-of-a-kind as hole cards are not helpful, and double-suited is the most preferred mix of hole cards. More players in Omaha fold before the flop as well, as everyone is drawing to the board, and it’s much more difficult to make the best hand without premium hole cards. Hand ranges change dramatically from Texas hold’em to Omaha.
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:
- Preflop: The opening PLO betting round involves two players posting blinds (small blind and big blind as mandatory bets, , and others will decide to fold, call, or raise.
- Flop: The second betting round is where players will decide what to do after the community cards have been dealt.
- Turn: The third betting round is when the players will check, bet, raise, call, or fold after the fourth community card is on the board.
- River: The final betting round happens after the fifth and last community card is placed on the board.
- 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 are important, such as:
- Call: To match the highest bet in that round.
- Fold: To give up your hand by placing your cards face-down on the table, forfeiting any money paid to the pot thus far.
- Raise: To increase the betting amount beyond the highest bet in that round thus far.
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 a great poker tournament strategy and a range of information regarding everything you’ll need to know to start playing.
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 even 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. There is no shame in folding, especially in PLO.
- Aces don’t mean much: A lone pair of Aces doesn’t mean much in Omaha. While they can help form a strong hand, the other two cards must be good drawing cards to move forward to the flop.
- 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-pair or two-pair hands, you can land yourself in trouble, as there are “wrap” draws with up to 20 outs.
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.
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