Common PLO Mistakes

This section will help novice and intermediate Pot Limit Omaha poker (PLO) players develop the skills to become an even better PLO player. We’ll also detail some of the most common mistakes in Pot Limit Omaha, which should be avoided at all times.

Pot Limit Omaha Poker – Advice

Table Selection: This is the first thing you’ll need to deal with, therefore the first on our list. Make sure your bankroll and playing style suit the table you choose to play. PLO games can get very expensive, so don’t bring a $50 bankroll to a $5/$10 table.

Starting Hands: Stick to your strategy and be very selective about your starting hands. If it’s not in the cards to begin with, don’t push your luck.

Know Your Opponents: Immediately begin taking mental notes (or textual notes if playing online PLO) on your opponents. You should know everyone’s situational habits within a few hands of play. For example, who Folds under aggressive attack; who plays only the best starting hands; who bets on a draw hand; who bluffs often and who can be bluffed?

Don’t Call: Calling is considered a weak move in PLO, unless done for a good reason, such as trapping an opponent into a bet/raise they would not have made otherwise. In any other situation, if the odds are good, Bet/Raise – if not, Fold.

Respect High Wagers: In PLO, bluffs do not occur often. When a player bets or raises big, they usually mean it.

Betting on Draw Hands: It takes a very good hand, often the Nuts, to win at PLO. Do not bet on a draw to the second best hand; but when you have a big draw hand, go for it.

Multi-Way Pots: Multi-Way Pots are pots that have the potential for several nut draws – Nut Flush, Nut Straight, etc. Never risk all of your money on a second or third best draw; only if drawing to the best Nut hand.

Nut Flush Draws: Many PLO players will become too attached to the Nut Flush Draw. While the Nut Flush is often the winner of a PLO hand, that means coming up short with top pair is rarely going to win it for you. That may work in Texas Hold’em, but not Pot Limit Omaha.

Multi-Way Straight Draws: Because you have so many hidden cards, it is not uncommon to find yourself with anywhere from 8-Way to 20-Way Straight Draws. Just like the Nut Flush Draw, do not become too attached to these hands.

Overvaluing Aces: In PLO, Aces are not worth nearly as much as in Texas Hold’em. Even Pocket Aces with two other unsuited/unconnected cards are close to worthless. If you Flop a set of Aces, the odds are still against you. You’ll likely need a Full House on the Turn/River to pull it off.

Pot Limit Omaha Poker – Common Mistakes

Over-Betting: Your hand may have started well, resulting in high betting; but when you know you’re beat, don’t lose your whole stack out of senseless pride – suck it up and Fold.

Over-Valuing Hands: If you don’t have the Nuts, don’t put too much value in your hand. Unless you can confidently and accurately read your opponents to determine that betting/raising is the right thing to do, Fold or keep your wagers reasonable.

Calling Because You Can: When holding a weak hand, don’t Call simply because you can afford to. Keep that kind of wagering up, and you won’t afford it for much longer.

Patience In Starting Hands: Don’t play too many starting hands. If you’re playing more than 30%-40% of your starting hands, that is too much. A good starting hand does not come along that often, and you must maintain the patience and discipline to wait for the right hands.

Neglecting the Pre-Flop Raise: Whenever you have a premium starting hand, Raise before the Flop. This puts pressure on draw hands, often resulting in a Fold. Failing to do so may result in you losing to a draw hand that wouldn’t have been around otherwise.

Under-Betting: Do not give players free cards, or under bet the pot. Remember, bluffing is not a major factor in PLO. If you have it, go for it. The only reason to bet low is to keep an opponent in the pot when he is sure to Fold otherwise.