Pot-Limit - Omaha Poker Basics

Pot-Limit Omaha, also referred to as PL Omaha or PLO, is derived from Texas Hold`em. While PLO has a lot of characteristics that are similar to Texas Hold`em, PLO requires its players to implement a unique set of strategies in order to win. The first strategy that PLO players must learn is that it is vitally important to build the best hand possible, the nut hand, or as close to a nut hand as possible. This strategy gives the player the best chance at drawing a hand that will beat everyone else at the table. To accomplish this, PLO players will need to collect card combinations that will allow a nut hand draw, as well as collecting card combinations that will provide the player with a back up plan in case the nut draw fails. To successfully implement these PLO strategies, PLO players first need to learn how to identify good hands, as well as how to identify trap hands.

Strategies for Building a Great Pot-Limit Omaha Hand

The first thing that PL Omaha players should understand is that PL Omaha hands should be built to offer players as many options as possible. Connecting cards, wrap cards, and double high value pocket pairs are all card combinations that give the player a variety of possible draw hands that they will be able to play. This strategy helps players to reduce the chances that they will end up with a dead draw, and it also helps them to increase their chances of building a nut draw. Another hand building strategy is to acquire and play high pocket pairs. In the worst case scenario the high pair can be played by themselves and in the best case scenario they can be combined with the flop cards to make a big flush. Lower pocket pairs should be mucked in most cases, as they are easy to beat and basically worthless in this game.

Connecting cards should also be collected, especially if the player has four connecting cards. This run allows players the option of creating many different straights. For example a pre-flop hand of JT98 gives about 30 possible straight combinations when combined with possible flop card combinations. Connecting cards are even more valuable when they are on the higher end of the value scale, as they can produce higher valued straights, which will in turn give the player a better chance of winning the hand.

Collecting suited cards is another good strategy for PL Omaha players to use. However, it should be done with care as players can trap themselves into a situation where they end up with a dead draw. If the player has non-ace high suited cards then a different strategy should be implemented, as drawing to a non-nut flush is an ineffective strategy. On the other hand, if the player hits a non-nut flush during a redraw, multi-draw, or back-door flush draw then it is a good idea to play these cards.

The Top Starting Hands

Building a nut PLO hand starts by being able to identify good starting hands. PLO players should learn to recognize the top 30 PLO starting hands, as well as other starting hands that have potential. The following list contains the top 30 starting hands for PLO. These hands can be made stronger if the high pair is suited with at least one of the remaining two cards. If a player has any of these card combinations they should raise pre-flop.

Trap Hands

While it is important for PLO players to learn how to recognize a good hand, it is also important for them to recognize bad hands. The first bad hand, or trap hand, that PLO players should avoid is a small pair hand. A small pair hand is any pair that has a face value that is lower than a nine. Players should keep in mind that these pairs are basically worthless in PLO games.

The second type of trap hand is the low wrap hand. In this instance the player’s cards seem like they can make a good hand such as a 23456 straight. However, this seemingly strong hand is actually weak because its low value is easy to beat. Because this type of hand is a trap hand, PLO players should avoid collecting these types of card combinations.

The final type of trap hand is the small flush hand. It follows the same philosophy as the low wrap hand trap. Players who have pre-flop cards that can only create low value flushes should not bet a lot of money on their hand. It is all right to play this type of hand, but the wagers made should reflect the high probability that their flush will be out-drawn by another player.

Conclusion

Pot-Limit Omaha is a game of strategy. Players need to be able to identify strong combinations during all phases of the game, and they need to be able to build their card combinations to give themselves the best chances of drawing a nut hand. High value card combinations are preferable to card combinations valued fewer than nine, and suited card combinations are preferable to non-suited card combinations. Finally, in order for PLO players to become winners they will need to be able to avoid building traps hands, as these hands limit the ability of PLO players to build a winning hand.