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How to Play: Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO)

Aliases: PLO

Description:

Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) Poker is a popular variant of Omaha Poker. It is similar to Texas Hold’em, but each player is dealt four hole cards, and the betting structure is governed by the size of the pot. The key difference from Texas Hold’em is that players must use exactly two of their hole cards and three of the community cards to make the best five-card hand.

Objective

The objective of Pot Limit Omaha Poker is to create the best possible five-card hand using exactly two of your four hole cards and three of the five community cards.

Game Setup

Each player is dealt four hole cards face down.
Five community cards are dealt face up in the center of the table.
Blinds are posted: the small blind by the player to the left of the dealer, and the big blind by the next player to the left.

Betting Rounds

Pre-Flop

After receiving their hole cards, players have the option to call, raise, or fold. Betting starts with the player to the left of the big blind.

The Flop

Three community cards are dealt face up. A round of betting follows, starting with the first active player to the left of the dealer.

The Turn

A fourth community card is dealt face up, followed by another round of betting.

The River

The fifth and final community card is dealt face up, followed by the final round of betting.

The Showdown

After the final betting round, remaining players reveal their hole cards. The player with the best five-card hand, using exactly two of their hole cards and three of the community cards, wins the pot.

Hand Rankings

Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10, all of the same suit.
Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit.
Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank.
Full House: Three of a kind plus a pair.
Flush: Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence.
Straight: Five consecutive cards of any suit.
Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank.
Two Pair: Two different pairs.
One Pair: Two cards of the same rank.
High Card: The highest card in the hand if no other hand is made.

Pot Limit Betting Rules

In Pot Limit Omaha, the maximum bet is the current size of the pot, including the current call. Here’s how to calculate the maximum raise:

Calculate the current pot size.
Add the amount the player must call before raising.
The total is the maximum amount the player can raise.

Tips for Playing

Understand that you must use exactly two hole cards and three community cards to form your hand.
Pay attention to the pot size and calculate your bets accordingly.
Be cautious with drawing hands, as the potential for strong hands is higher in PLO compared to other variants.
Observe your opponents’ betting patterns to gauge the strength of their hands.