Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) is a poker variant that many poker players like to try after learning the popular Texas Hold ’em game. These two variants are similar in some ways, but they don’t share the same rules. PLO is more of a game of the nuts due to the requirement to frequently make an excellent or best full house to win the pot.
Learning the basics is easy, and once you are done with that, you’ll need to improve your play. That means using an advanced strategy to fit your skill as a pro poker player. Here is a list of strategies to crush PLO to win some pots.
After Calling the Pre-flop, the Small Blind Takes the Lead on the Flop
There are some boards in Pot Limit Omaha where leading is a smart move. In PLO, as opposed to No Limit Hold’em, you may occasionally have a range advantage as the pre-flop caller. You can make use of this advantage by leading.
It is particularly powerful when you have called pre-flop and expect your opponents will be weaker post-flop. By leading out, you can establish a value range on the flop and apply pressure to your opponents, forcing them to make marginal decisions under duress.
You should have a leading range for high card-centric flops, especially those without an ace.
For instance, when the player on the button raises, you in the small blind call, and the big blind also calls. The following specific flops give you a leading range.
When Blocking Powerful Hands, Position Yourself With Smaller Sizing
PLO players prefer to employ a considerable size when opting for a c-bet on most coordinated flops. When you are in position, there is one important flop place where you should use a lesser size.
For example, your opponent’s open raise from the middle position, and you call on the button while holding the double-suited 9877 in clubs and spades. When the 7d5h3d flop appears, your adversary checks. Instead of betting 65โ75% of the pot, you can utilize a 45โ55% stake.
You shouldn’t be concerned about the middle position having too many 86xx or 64xx combos. Also, you strongly block any 7x hands the villain would use to check-call.
Modifying the Frequency of Your C-Bets When Playing Against Opponents Who Lack a Leading Range
Reduce your frequency of c-betting if you’re playing against a player who never leads into the pre-flop aggressor. This is because they won’t be leading into aggression. They are more likely to hold a tighter checking range than a player who does lead. If you consistently put money in pots against these opponents and do not see them committing after the flop, it may be time to change your c-betting routine to maximize your winnings.
Be aware of any patterns in their betting decisions. Additionally, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of opponents at the table is crucial to success.
After Check-Calling the Flop, Add Turn Leads to Your Repertoire of Plays
Following a 3-betting or check-call from the blinds, picture the following scenario. The flop shows Ts8s5h or 9d8d4s. These boards are dynamic since multiple turn and river cards will likely cause the hand equity to alter significantly. These two boards can potentially hit the caller in position very heavily. Due to this, check-calling should be used more frequently than c-betting.
The trick is to prepare in advance for various turns. Say the turn is full brick, like a 3 or 2, which does not fill the flush draw. With hands like Aces with a gutshot, potent flush draws, combo draws, and a few set combos, you could lead off the turn as the 3-bettor in these circumstances. If your opponent has a non-nutted hand and would prefer to accept a free river card, you can block his equity with this play. Also, flop checks will be more difficult for your opponent.
In Multi-Way Pots, Tighten up When in the Button
For many poker fish, the logical move would be to play more hands on the button with one or more cold callers. Here, the proper correction is the exact opposite!
A key point to remember when playing multi-way pots is not to get too loose or passive with your button play. This means tightening your hold on the button and avoiding overly aggressive plays that usually cost you more chips in the long run.
Take the post-flop battle seriously by playing a smaller selection of cards before the flop. The flop should be seen in multiple ways, ideally with a hand with four connecting cards or a large double-suited pair. Additionally, having a position gives you an excellent chance to benefit from flopped powerful cards in multi-way pots.
Selectively Engage Open Raises Before the Flop
As you play PLO for a while, you’ll notice how frequently made hands and medium-strength draws are dominated when all the money is in. The mistake is typically committed with loose pre-flop calls. There isn’t much to do in these instances post-flop.
Playing risky hands out of position is a proven way to waste your stack in PLO. Professional poker players know you must manage your pre-flop play as it remains the cornerstone of your PLO approach.
Engaging open raises can reduce the number of players in a hand and minimize the likelihood of going to showdown after the river. The payoff for this strategy can be great, as it gives you an advantage in position and information compared to limping in with the rest of the field.
Conclusion
Playing poker games like Pot Limit Omaha can be challenging when moving to a more advanced game. However, as you continue to practice and adjust your strategies, you can easily defeat your opponents. That means you must understand your opponent’s skills, position, and range to easily employ advanced techniques designated for that situation.