For many players who start out how to play Texas Holdem with chips, what is Pot Limit Omaha will be the next topic to discover. If you are thinking of exploring this one of poker types and you want to learn how to play it, this beginner’s guide to the game will give you everything you need! So, read carefully to become a master in poker!
What is Pot Limit Omaha in Card Games?
For those of you who are wondering what is Pot Limit Omaha, it is a poker game that has the same style as Texas Holdem Poker. Players will receive 4 private cards and need to make the best hand possible using two of their private cards and 3 of the 5 community cards that are available to every player.
In addition, this one types of poker can be played with Pot Limit rules. It means that the maximum bet amount allowed depends on the size of the pot. It also means that unlike No Limit Holdem, you will not always have the possibility to bet using all your chips.
Basic Rules of Pot Limit Omaha
After understanding what is Pot Limit Omaha, the game will start with each player being dealt 4 cards. Unlike Texas Holdem, all players have to play exactly 2 cards from their hand and 3 from the board. Hand rankings are the same in Omaha and Texas Holdem, with a high card being the worst and a royal flush as the best possible hand.
In PLO, the game will begin with a small and big blind poker that rotates each turn. The first player after the big blind may fold, call the big blind or raise up to the “pot limit”. If the blinds are $1 and $2, the UTG (Under the Gun position) player can place a bet up to $7.
Remember that starting hand values are pretty different than in Texas Holdem. Therefore, you need to familiarize yourself with these differences before playing PLO. As you may expect, Omaha pots can grow pretty big, and with pre-flop hand equity advantages rarely bigger than 60% variance swings in PLO can be big as well.
Well, the PLO player will need a bigger bankroll than the typical No Limit Holdem for that reason. That is what is Pot Limit Omaha.
How to Make a Hand in Pot Limit Omaha
The hierarchy of hands on what is Pot Limit Omaha is extremely the same as in Texas Holdem. From high card, all the way to the rare of royal flush via three of a kinds, straight, and flush, etc.
Important ❗
Remember there is one important difference between Pot Limit Omaha and Texas Holdem. In Omaha, players must use two of the private cards with 3 of the community cards to make a hand. So, holding K K K 3 in your hand will not give you a three of a kind, but simply a pair of Kings.
1. Straight Flush
The 5 cards of the same suit (Hearts, Spades, Clubs, or Diamonds) in a row. For instance, 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 of Hearts. A straight flush A – K – Q – J – 10 is a royal flush. Of course, this is exactly a very rare hand!
2. Four of a Kind
To know more about what is Pot Limit Omaha, in your 5 cards, 4 cards of the same value. The 4 Aces are the strongest while 4 are the weakest.
3. Full House
The 3 cards of one value with 2 cards of another value, or three of a kind with a pair. A full house in this hand is ranked first based on the value of the 3 of a kind. For instance K – K – 3 – 3 againsts Q – Q – Q – A – A.
4. Flush
To give you the best understanding of what is Pot Limit Omaha, this is a hand of 5 cards of the same suit (Clubs, Diamonds, Spades, or Hearts), however, not in a row. We split two flushes based on the highest card, and in the case of a tie, the next highest, and more.
For instance, A – J – 8 – 5 – 3 of Diamonds againsts A – 9 – 8 – 5 – 3 of Spades. In poker, there is no difference in value between the suits. But you need to be careful as the Hearts and Diamonds are not considered the same suit. It is also the same for Spades and Clubs. Remember that!
5. Straight
Straight hand of what is Pot Limit Omaha, it is a hand of 5 cards in a row, however, not of the same value. For instance: 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10. The straights are ranked based on the highest card. An Ace can be the highest card (A – K – Q – J – 10), but also be the weakest hand (A – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5).
6. Three of a Kind
This hand on what is Pot Limit Omaha is made with the 3 cards of the same value.
7. Two Pairs
For example of this hand, K – K – 7 – 7 – 2. If 2 players each hold 2 pairs, they are splitted by the strongest pair. So, A – A – 6 – 6 against Q – Q – J – J.
8. A Pair
This hand is made with the 2 cards of the same value. A pair of Aces is the strongest, and the weakest is a pair of 2s.
9. High Card
If no player manages to create one of the hands above, not even a pair, then the winner is the player who has the highest single card. It is also the card that can split two same cards.
That card is called the kicker. For instance, if the board displays Q – Q – 8 – 3 – 2, a player who has Q – 10 – 9 – 7 will be defeated by a player holding Q – K – 9 – 5. Both players have three Queens, but with the different kickers 10 for the first player, defeated by the King of the second player.
Conclusion
Now, you already know what is Pot Limit Omaha. Yes, it is one of the most exciting, complex, and action packed games available. The chances for each hand are nearly infinite. It also offers situations unlike any other poker variation.
The PLO has been steadily growing in popularity over the last few years, and is now a staple of the highest stakes games in the world. You can win millions of dollars in this interesting card game!
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