Pot Limit Omaha: Poker Game with High Variance - 2025

Pot Limit Omaha, or ‘PLO,’ is basically Texas Hold’em on steroids. In this poker variant , each player gets four (PLO4), five (PLO5), or sometimes even six (PLO6) hole cards instead of just two, making the game action-packed and highly explosive.

More hole cards mean more combinations and more combinations mean a more complex decision-making process, which can intimidate even the most experienced Hold’em players.

Omaha offers constant action and epic strategic battles unmatched by any other poker game. In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about the game, from its history through its current rise in popularity, to some essential strategy tips and common pitfalls to avoid when you decide to start playing.

A Brief History of Pot Limit Omaha

Nowadays, Pot Limit Omaha games are available in almost every casino and poker room, but the game was not always as popular as it is today. As with many card games, Omaha’s exact origin is clouded in mystery, but its roots trace back to the early 20th century in the southern states of the United States, where it evolved from traditional poker games.

In 1983, poker player and casino executive Robert Turner introduced the game to Bill Boyd, who was at the time director of operations at the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas. Back then, the game had no name yet, so they named it ‘Nugget hold’em’ after the casino.

While Texas Hold’em dominated the casinos in the early poker boom, this other game was mostly played in underground games – it was probably in a shady, smoke-filled private game where it got the name ‘Omaha’.

Interestingly, in the second half of the 80s, the game attracted more players on the other side of the Atlantic: Omaha gained massive popularity in Europe, especially in France, where it was known as ‘Omaha High’. The game’s pot limit betting structure made it a favorite among strategic players who preferred calculated aggression over reckless full-stack all-ins.

Today, we can be sure that PLO will stay with us for many more years to come, with high-stakes Omaha cash games and major PLO tournaments in prestigious series like the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Its constant action and vast number of combinations keep players coming back for more.

The Rules of Pot Limit Omaha

At first glance, PLO shares many similarities with Texas Hold’em, but some very important differences change the game entirely.

PLO is also a card game that can be played with 2 to 10 players using a standard 52-card deck, but players in Omaha have to make the best possible five-card hand by using exactly two of their private ‘hole cards’ and three of the shared ‘community cards’ on the table.

Before dealing any cards, the two players on the left of the dealer have to post mandatory ‘blind bets’, but unlike in Texas Hold’em, the big blind usually isn’t double the size of the small blind but equal to it. Naturally, the purpose of these blind bets is to make sure there is always some money in the middle to incentivize action from the players, but in Omaha, there is enough action even without a lot of blind bets in the pot.

When the blind are posted, each player is dealt four, five, or sometimes six ‘hole cards’ face-down, and the first betting round, called ‘pre-flop’, begins.

Here, players have to choose one of the following actions:

• muck their cards or ‘fold’
• put in the same amount of money as the big blind or ‘call’
• put in more money than the big blind or ‘raise’

Let’s stop for a moment here: like its name indicates, in Pot Limit Omaha, the maximum amount a player can bet is limited to the size of the pot at any given time. So if the pot is $100, the maximum amount a player can bet is $100.

After all players have acted, three community cards are dealt face-up in the middle, called the ‘flop’, and another round of betting happens.

After all players have acted on the flop, a fourth community card is dealt face-up: the turn, where another round of betting ensues.

After players have acted once again, a single final community card is dealt face-up: the river, where the last round of betting takes place.

If more than one player is still in action after the final betting round, a showdown occurs where players turn their hole cards face-up and compare their ranks.

The pot is awarded to the player with the best five-card hand. Ties are a much rarer event in PLO than in Texas Hold’em, but in case it happens, the pot is split equally among the winning players.

Hands are ranked according to traditional poker hierarchy, from high card to royal flush.

Basic Strategies & Tips for Pot Limit Omaha

Generally speaking, Pot Limit Omaha is a more complex game than Texas Hold’em. Due to its higher variance and lots of swings, it is crucial for an aspiring PLO player to learn how to navigate these dangerous waters.

Here are some essential tips to help you get started:

Play Strong Starting Hands

Similar to Texas Hold’em, not all starting hands are created equal in Pot Limit Omaha. Furthermore, top pairs are worth much less, so successful players prefer to focus on hands that have a strong potential to make the best possible hand, or the nuts.

Connected cards like 9-T-J-Q might be good candidates because they have multiple straight possibilities. Four cards of the same suit might perform well, too, because of the increased chances of making a flush. Pocket pairs can work out too, if you hit a full house or four-of-a-kind with them.

You should avoid playing weak, disconnected hands because they might get you in trouble after the flop.

Play More Hands In Late Positions

Just like in Texas Hold’em, you should know in each hand which position you sit relative to the current dealer, as it should significantly impact your strategy. If you are in a ‘late position’ (closer to the dealer), you have already seen your opponents act, so you can make better decisions based on them. Use this advantage to play more hands aggressively in late positions, but stick to premium hands only in early positions.

Pot Control is Key

In PLO, controlling the size of the pot is even more important than in Texas Hold’em, because pots tend to blow up rather fast. Try not to overcommit with marginal hands, and always keep an eye on the size of other players’ stacks. Aim for building the pot mostly when you have nut potential (drawing to the best possible hand).

Manage Your Bankroll

PLO players face significantly higher variance than Texas Hold’em players. Skilled players with lots of experience are no exception from this; they can still experience crazy big swings.

Before starting to play PLO, set a budget for yourself and stick to it in order to avoid chasing losses. A good rule of thumb is to have at least 20-30 buy-ins for your stake.

Advanced Tips & Tricks for Pot Limit Omaha

If you are already somewhat familiar with the basics of Omaha poker rules, you should consider learning some more advanced strategies. Here are a few things to get you started:

Study Hand Equities

Hand equities run much closer to each other in PLO than in Texas Hold’em. A hand that was a favorite before the flop can very quickly become second-best or even worse on the flop. Use equity calculators to understand the strength of your hand relative to your opponents’.

Make Use of Blockers

Blockers are hole cards that minimize the odds that your opponents have a certain combination of hands. For example, if you got the Ace of spades in your hand, your opponent is less likely to have a strong flush draw of the same suit. You can use blockers to pull intelligent bluffs or catch your opponents red-handed.

Adjust to Opponents

What sets great players apart from mediocre ones is that they constantly adjust their strategies based on their opponents’ tendencies.

If your opponent has a very aggressive style, you might want to play more conservatively and trap them with strong hands. If you play against someone with a tight playstyle, try stealing more pots off of them.

Bluff Selectively

Bluffing in Pot Limit Omaha is much riskier than in Texas Hold’em because of more hole cards and an increased number of possible five-card hand combinations. Only bluff when you have a credible story and a good read on your opponents. Try bluffing when a scare card comes on the turn or the river, and avoid bluffing in multi-way pots, because too many players have the possibility to call your bluff.

Common Mistakes in Pot Limit Omaha

There are countless pitfalls in poker, especially in Omaha. Be easy on yourself if you make a mistake – even experienced players make them from time to time.

Identifying potential pitfalls reduces the likelihood of falling into them. Here are some mistakes you should look out for:

Overvaluing Weak Hands

Having a seemingly strong pair doesn’t necessarily mean you have the best hand, especially in Pot Limit Omaha. Evaluate the relative strength of your hand by factoring in the community cards on the board and what your opponents might be holding.

In PLO, it is very easy to get attached to hands that look promising but are actually mediocre. For example, a hand like A-2-3-4 double-suited might seem strong, but it’s often dominated by higher straights or flushes. Focus on hands with nut potential instead.

Playing Out Of Position

One of the worst things you can do in Omaha is playing out of position. Play fewer hands and try to avoid marginal ones if you are in the early position. Save your aggression for late positions, where you have more information.

Chasing Draws Without Proper Odds

If you are familiar with Omaha poker rules, you are aware that it is a game of draws, but not all draws are worth chasing. Make it a routine exercise for yourself to calculate pot odds and implied odds before putting chips in play with draws.

Failing to Adjust to Opponents

Pot Limit Omaha is a dynamic game where money typically flows towards those who are more capable of adapting. If you fail to adapt to your opponents’ strategies, you are guaranteed to lose money. Stay flexible with your strategies, and don’t be afraid to change your ways if the situation calls for it.

If your opponents are playing tight, loosen up and steal more pots. If they’re aggressive, tighten your range and let them hang themselves.

Overplaying Top Pair

In PLO, the top pair is rarely the best hand by the river. Don’t fall in love with it; be mentally prepared to fold if the board gets scary.

Underestimating the Importance of the Nuts

It is common knowledge that, due to Omaha poker rules, the nuts (the best possible hand) change frequently as the board develops. Always be aware of what the nuts is on a specific board and adjust your play accordingly. Chasing non-nut draws, second-best flushes, or straights is a very fast way to lose chips.

Tilting After Bad Beats

Pot Limit Omaha has infamously big swings, so it is very important to work on your mental game.

To avoid tilt, practicing mindfulness to maintain a calm demeanor may be an effective way. Remember, though, that variance is a natural part of poker that you cannot erase.

How to Get Started with Pot Limit Omaha

Want to start playing Pot Limit Omaha, but don’t know where to start? Here are some tips to help you get ahead of the competition:

Learn the Basic Rules

If you’re new to Pot Limit Omaha rules and the game itself, start by learning the basic rules and hand rankings. There are online resources, tutorials, and videos for PLO4 and PLO5 that can help you get started.

Take The Time to Study

Being disciplined about regular study sessions is what separates great players from mediocre ones. There are many free and paid courses on Pot Limit Omaha online for players of every skill level.

Join a Poker Community

Discussing strategies and hands with other aspiring players can be very valuable when starting out. Join forums like TwoPlusTwo or CardsChat to exchange ideas with people who share your interest in the game.

Play Online

Many sites offer low-stakes tables where you can play without risking too much capital. If you already know the basic Omaha poker rules, that is the place to start your jurney

Playing online is the best for improving your game fast, because hands are played faster than in live poker, plus you can play multiple tables simultaneously. This means that you can gain much more experience playing a few hours online than you would if you spent a day in a casino!

Ready to test your skills? Join an online poker platform like CoinPoker or Natural8 to practice and compete against players worldwide. Remember, every pro was once a beginner—so take your seat at the table and let the games begin!

Texas Hold’em vs. Pot Limit Omaha

Here you can find a brief summary of the differences between the two poker variants.

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