Pot-Limit Omaha, otherwise known as PLO, is an exciting game that is bringing many new players every day. As with any game, you need to know how to play before being dealt your first hand. Read on for a quick overview of how to play PLO.
PLO is a community card pot-limit poker variant. For more information on what this means, please read our article “What is PLO?”
How to play PLO
Several rounds occur in a PLO game. This helps structure the game.
- Pre-flop
- Flop
- Turn
- River
- Showdown
Pre-Flop
This round begins with the movement of the Dealer Button one place clockwise. In home games, this will be the same person who is dealing. In organized games at poker rooms or casinos, there is a marker that says “Dealer” and is symbolic of the dealer’s position.
Next, the Small Blind (SB) and the Big Blind (BB) post their blinds. The blinds are forced bets that give everyone something to fight over. Depending on the structure, the SB is typically 40% to 50% of the BB.
The SB position is one place to the left of the dealer. The BB position is two places to the left of the dealer.
Next, the dealer deals each player one card at a time, face down, starting with the SB and moving clockwise. Each player receives four cards.
Betting action begins after all players receive four hole cards. This starts with the first player to the left of the BB. The action moves in a clockwise manner. Actions that all players can make are:
- Call: Call the amount of the BB or the raise if there is a raise.
- Raise: Increases the bet size, ranging from two times the current bet up to the amount of the pot.
- Fold: Give their cards back to the dealer and they are no longer in the hand.
- Check: Available to the BB if no player has raised. They can opt to put no additional money in the pot.
Once all actions are complete, the players move to the flop.
The Flop
The dealer burns one card, placing it face down on the table. Then, the dealer deals three community cards face up, called the flop.
Each player still in the hand, starting to the left of the dealer, has the same options as pre-flop, with the addition of being able to check, passing on their option to bet.
The action continues clockwise until all actions are complete.
The Turn
The dealer burns another card and deals one card face up on the board. All players still in the hand start a new betting round, just like the previous one.
The River
The dealer burns another card and deals the last community card face up on the board. The last round of betting continues. If players are still left at the end of the betting round, players move to the showdown.
The Showdown
The remaining players will show down their hands to determine who wins the pot. This is where many players familiar with No-Limit Hold ‘em make a critical mistake.
A valid Pot-Limit Omaha hand consists of exactly two of the four hole cards (no more, no less) and exactly three of the five board cards (no more, no less). The player uses this specific combination to make the best five-card hand.
Failure to accurately construct hands is a common PLO beginner mistake. Careful attention must be given.
The winner is the player with the best five-card hand.
This should be enough to keep you in line with the game rules when deciding to sit down. However, you will need more than just the rules to be a winner in this fast-paced game.
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