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Poker. Pot Limit Omaha - Strategy and Hints

By admin | October 14, 2009

Introduction to Pot Limit Omaha

Pot Limit Omaha, in other words, Omaha Hi or simply PLO, is among the most gripping poker games. This is a game of large winnings with bigger pots and less gamblers folding. In contrast to most kinds of poker, where once you achieve a concrete level everyone seems to have a good control on the game, you’re always circumscribed to find gamblers who either have no idea what they’re doing or simply tilting off the money in Omaha Hi.

PLO Regulations

Pot Limit Omaha plays out in much the same way as holdem, but it contains some differences which vastly influence on game-play and strategy. In this kind of poker you are dealt not two cards as traditionally but four cards. If you want to make a hand in Omaha you may take two of your cards and three from the board.

Pot Limit Omaha have some similarity to no limit but instead of having no limitations, your wager is confined to the size of the pot. So, the main idea of Pot Limit Omaha is more play and bigger pots, what is at the same time the main difference from the other kinds of poker. It also affixes a new component of skill to the game in controlling the pot size.

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In the beginning it’s easy to get overcome with the extra opportunities that the extra 2 cards in Pot Limit Omaha make. The hands you want to get in holdem as straights, flushes and sets are common in PLO. In place of such strategy you should be aiming at achieving the absolute nuts or something like this.

PLO Starting Hands

The most favorable starting hands in PLO are those which work properly together after the flop. For instance, having J-T-9-8 you get the great drawing chances of J-T, J-9, J-8, T-9, T-8, and 9-8. But having such a hand like Kc-Kd-6s-2s, you get just one useful combination. It is K-K, but actually this combination is valuable in Pot Limit Omaha just after you hit a set.

The most favorable hand in PLO is Ad-Ac-Jd-Td. It’s value in that it is able to make the nut full house, some nut straights and 2 nut flush opportunities. It is always a 65% or less favorite against a random hand, but in case when you make a hand with it after the flop, you will understand if it’s the best.

PLO Strategy

In situation when you have at your disposal a good starting hand, your action is to raise in order to build the pot but you are not going to commit to much of your stack pre-flop. It happens that the best pre-flop hands also can be unsuccessful in multi-way pots. The advantage of a good hand in PLO takes effect after the flop, where all the possible draws and combinations that the flop makes are evident.

Low limit gamblers in most cases may get away with nut-peddling. Nut-peddlers are the gamblers who sit back, waiting for the best hands just committing grave money to the pot if the nuts or a great draw are in their disposal. If combined with multi-tabling, they can virually earn a good hourly rate.

The higher limit games in increasing frequency become to read the gamblers, get a feel of the table, and adapting your play conformably. Spot the gamblers who are just playing the nuts or overdoing their hands, take it into consideration and capitalize from their blunders.

And finally, remember that PLO is one of the poker games that implies a lot of tiffs. So, be sure that your poker bankroll has some additional cushion in order you can make your way through the swings.

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Jeff Hwang’s “Pot Limit Omaha Poker” Review

By admin | July 29, 2009

Usually poker books do not affect our game seriously, at lest in the beginning. Unless you’re making first steps into this game, you can get only some details from the book and try to apply them from time to time. “Pot Limit Omaha” by Jeff Hwang is an exception as the results from reading it appear immediately. I think this book deserves to be at the same row with famous Harrington On Hold’em series as in terms of readability, relevance and thoughtfulness Pot Limit Omaha Poker stands far ahead many other books in the same area.

The advices given are practical and can be applied during real game, winning strategies are well explained and are not hard to understand. Even experienced players may also like this book because it has some very important tips concerning "big play" in Omaha. In general, this book will be helpful for all Omaha players and for Hold’em players who want to try Omaha.

Even though the book is so well-written, the title can mislead you a little bit. The whole book is not about Pot Limit Omaha as you may think. I’d say almost a half of the book is dedicated to structured Omaha Hi/Lo with references to Pot Limit Omaha Hi/Lo. This doesn’t make the book worse in any case as such information is definitely useful. No need to say, you cannot often find Pot-Limit Hi/Lo descriptions and tips in books, so these chapters are really unique ones.

Section concerning Pot Limit Omaha is simply brilliant and I have not found anything like this in other books. By the way, the positive influence of this book will be seen even in other games. For example, in his book Hwang tells a lot about stack sizes and their effects. After reading it I’ve felt really huge improvements in my big stack Hold’em. Even though the book’s title tells us about Omaha, this book is good for all poker players in general as they will get good advises from it.

Whole book’s structure is also very well done. Just like mentioned Harrington on Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha Poker has descriptions and key concepts of particular game that are then followed by series of quizzes and sample hands, in which you can make decisions and get scores. This is very useful as such manner helps to examine your own skills and check whether you have understood the chapter correctly. Such format turns this book into real tutor and you can learn a lot while reading it.

Overall, Jeff Hwang has created a wonderful and very useful book for wide masses of poker players. All advices are correct, the book is very readable and even entertaining and the ideas given really work. It’s that rare case when a book can affect your game and improve it. Pot Limit Omaha Poker by Jeff Hwang is really a must read.

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How to Win at Pot Limit Omaha 8 or Better

By admin | June 18, 2009

Pot limit omaha 8 or better is very promising game as stakes can be very high here. Certainly, big money should be won first and this is not so easy in PLO8 as this is the game of patience and tight play. Your win depends on your hand and moment of game. For example, if you have a strong hand and a nut low, and your opponent, who also has strong hand but worse than yours, calls you on the river and loses, you will be able to take as much as 3/4 of whole pot.

It’s time to get some ideas concerning this wonderful game and improve your pot limit omaha 8 or better skills.

1. Don’t be too harsh.

You may be surprised, but in PLO8 it’s not bad to limp in. This game is not as severe as, for example, LO8. Try to play more hands preflop and it’s better to limp in than raise your bet. This is particularly important for situations when your hand is not strong.

2. Look for a proper flop.

Your aim is to find the one that would perfectly fit your hand. An average strategy here is the following: nut low or made low draw with two pairs (set is also OK) and redraws in the form of nut flush or straight. So, let’s say you hold a hand with Ad-2c-4c-Kd. In this situation a flop like 3d-5d-Kh would be just perfect for you as you have top pair, nut flush and straight draw for high. When your flop is not that perfect, do not spend money on nothing and wait for next chance to make pot yours.

3. Patience and folding are the keys. This strategy may seem weak, but it really works. Passive play is often the key to your success in PLO8. Don’t be afraid to fold often. Let someone else to try own luck and wait for strong cards.

4. One-way hands don’t yield much.

It’s not recommended to make bets if your hand is just one-way one. The most you can get from this is to get your money back, but, most probably, you’ll be overcome by another opponent. Multiple possibilities are the synonym of success in PLO8.

5. Try to distinguish false strong hands. Many players who don’t have much experience in PLO8 make same mistakes like playing strong but non-nut hands, for example, paired straight or flush. Try to calculate your chances to win without emotions and fold if needed. For example, you have a 6c-8h-9c flop and you already have As-4h-7s-Td. Yes, you have a nut straight, but such hand is a vulnerable one. The next you should do is to decide, whether you check or bet. Try to take into consideration not only your own hand, but hands of your opponents as well. If you decide to bet with such hand, you indeed have very little chance to win.

Today Pot limit omaha 8 or better finds more and more fans and this makes this game more interesting to play online. If you’re an aggressive player who seeks tight game with high earnings, PLO8 is for you. Just be patient, stay smart and cold-blooded, start small and you will get desired success.

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