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How to Play: Pot-Limit Omaha 8 (PLO8)

Aliases: PLO-8

Description:

Pot Limit Omaha 8 or Better, also known as PLO8 or Omaha Hi-Lo, is a popular variant of Omaha Poker. In this game, the pot is split between the highest and lowest hands, provided the low hand qualifies. Each player is dealt four hole cards and must use exactly two of them, along with three of the community cards, to make their best high and low hands.

Objective

The objective of Pot Limit Omaha 8 or Better Poker is to create the best possible high hand and the best qualifying low hand (if one exists) 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 pot is split between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand. If no low hand qualifies, the high hand wins the entire pot.

Hand Rankings

High 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.

Low Hand Qualifications

A low hand must consist of five different cards ranked 8 or lower. Aces are low for the low hand. Straights and flushes do not disqualify a low hand.

Best Low Hand: 5, 4, 3, 2, A (also known as the wheel).
Other qualifying low hands include combinations like 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 or 8, 7, 6, 5, 4.

Pot Limit Betting Rules

In Pot Limit Omaha 8 or Better, 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 for both high and low hands.
Look for hands that have potential for both high and low to maximize your chances of winning a share of the pot.
Pay attention to the community cards to gauge the possible hands of your opponents.
Manage your bankroll carefully, as pot limit betting can lead to large pots quickly.