Pot Limit Omaha Rules: A Beginner’s Guide to this Exciting Poker Variant
Pot Limit Omaha is also called PLO in short. It is the 2nd most common form of poker after No Limit Hold’em (NLHE). It is available easily to play on online poker apps.
The dealer deals 4 hole cards to players instead of 2 in PLO. Players must use exactly 2 hole cards and 3 community cards to make the best combination with 5 cards.
Pot limit Omaha rules are similar to Hold’em with some key differences. It is more popular than ever in poker rooms around the globe after a recent surge in popularity. PLO stands as the centerpiece of some of the most action-packed games.
Know about this game in detail through this blog and learn the rules properly.
What is Pot Limit Omaha (PLO)?
It is a variation of the popular card game Omaha. PLO is played with 4 cards dealt to each player. You have to make the best 5-card hand using 2 of your own cards and 3 of the 5 community cards.
Players can make strategy at any amount up to the size of the pot in PLO. This means that the strategy size can increase fast. The strategy structure is designed to limit the amount of money that can be ventured on each hand.
If you are already familiar with Texas Hold’em, then the transition to PLO will be easier for you. The basic Pot Limit Omaha rules like the following remain the same for both variations:
- Game objective
- Betting rounds and actions
- 10 hand rankings.
The first key difference in Omaha poker is the presence of 4 hole cards instead of 2 in Hold’em. Bigger pots and complex decisions result in the end.
Secondly, Omaha poker is a pot limit game where players can make a maximum raise that is equal to the pot size.
PLO is one of the most exciting poker variants to play and is a refreshing change from Hold’em poker. The following make PLO a highly appealing game to poker players worldwide:
- More action
- Bigger pots
- Complex decisions.
Understanding the Rules of Pot Limit Omaha
It is similar to No-Limit Hold’em with 2 important exceptions. Let us now know more details below:
● Aim of the game
You must get the best combination to win. Go to the gaming table with an initial strategy called the stack. Place it on the mat. You can rebuy it during the game.
No rebuy is accepted during a hand. Your seat at the table is assigned by a draw. The club has the possibility to determine at the starting of each session, the version of Omaha poker played: PLO or Omaha limit.
● Playing the game
The dealer shuffles a deck of 52 cards in front of the players. The game starts by placing a marker (dealer button). The 2 players seated immediately to the left of the button are required to place a mandatory initial bet on the mat before each deal:
- The first player places a small blind as a strategy. It is equal to half of the minimum strategy of the table.
- The second player deposits a big blind as a strategy. The amount is at least equal to small blind at most double.
Then the dealer deals the cards one by one. Each player receives 4 cards that they must protect. The players look at their hand at the end of the deal.
You have 4 gaming options during the game:
- Check: This allows you to stay in the game when no higher strategy is placed before you.
- Strategy: you place a strategy at least equal to the big blind.
- Fold: Put your cards in front of you, face down.
- Call: you place a strategy equal to that of the player preceding you.
- Raise: place a strategy that is at least double that of the previous ones and at most equal to the “pot” value.
The pot – you cannot raise in a ‘No Limit’ fashion. The maximum raise is calculated according to the pot. You can calculate as follows:
3 times the previous raise, plus the total of all the other raises placed.
For instance,
- small blind – 5
- big blind – 10
- raise – 30
- pot > (30 x 3) + 10 + 5 = 105.
The dealer then proceeds to the first round of strategy.
2. The player to the left of the player who made the big blind speaks first. They can fold, call, or raise.
- The following players are determined in the same way.
- The player who made the small blind then speaks. They can fold, call, or raise.
- The player who made the big blind speaks then. They can fold, call, raise, or check.
The flop
3. The dealer burns the first card of the deck and reveals the remaining 3 cards. This is the flop. The 3 community cards are shared by all players who are still in play.
- The remaining players proceed to a second strategy round starting with the one located further to the left of the button at this time.
The turn
4. The dealer burns the first card of the deck and delivers an additional card, named the turn.
- The players then proceed to the third round of strategy.
The river
5. The dealer burns the first card of the deck and exposes a final card, named the river.
- The players proceed to the last round of the strategy.
These 5 cards constitute the board.
● Winning hand
6. The dealer asks the remaining players to show their 4 cards, going clockwise from the dealer button.
- The best hand is determined by a combination of 5 cards made up of the 3 cards of the board and 2 cards from the player hand. The winning hand contains the highest combination.
- In a tie between the combinations of 2 or more players and calling for less than 5 cards, the highest hand will be the one with the highest player card outside of these combinations (the ‘kicker’).
- The pot will be shared between all tied hands in the event of a perfect tie. A perfect tie occurs when the players have the same combination made up of 2 cards from their hands and 3 cards from the board.
- The dealer gives the winner the entire pot taking the legal deduction.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in PLO
Maximum online poker players are moving towards PLO these days. More cards means more action and bigger pots. It is crucial to understand the various aspects of the game to win.
Here are some common mistakes we have discussed to help you avoid:
● Pocket aces and premium pairs
People overvalue their aces and premium pairs in 5 card PLO. The smartest way to play unconnected pairs like K-K-9-4-7 is to play them for their set value.
Try making winning poker hands that connect to the flop in a proper way. The above hand will have only an average strength in 4 card PLO (e.g. K-K-9-4). This reduces with the addition of another card further.
● Small flushes
Players can have a deep run if they are holding low suited cards in the No-Limit Hold’em format. That is not the case in 5 card PLO games. Small flushes can get you in great trouble.
A good PLO player will only continue if he is drawing to the nuts and this becomes more important when each player is dealt 5 hole cards.
So, if you hit a small flush, there will be chances of getting a bigger hit by someone. So you should prepare.
● Using 2 hole cards out of the 4 or 5
Players often tend to get confused when there are 4 cards to a straight or flush on the board. They forget that they can only use 3 community cards in addition to their 2 hole cards.
Remember this rule and consider it in your 5 card PLO strategy, as sometimes even the best players overlook it.
● Bankroll management
It is the most important for any format, especially 5 card PLO poker strategy. As each player is dealt 5 cards, an increase in action is guaranteed.
This means that at times, a pot can swell up and before you know it you could be in for more than you should. Choose starting hands wisely and wait till the flop before committing serious money into the pot in 5 card PLO games.
● Slow playing
It is a great approach in No-Limit Hold’em. But the same is not a fine 5 card PLO strategy. It is a good idea to place a strategy even on a flop that we have smashed, as more hole cards means more draws and outs for your opponents.
Keep these simple points in mind and you are ready to play all new PLO poker.
Conclusion
PLO plays a major role in rummy games, even in No-Limit Hold’em games. Know the essential Pot Limit Omaha rules to increase your overall win rate in bomb pots.
Be aware of the version of Omaha being played in a game you enter.