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PLO-5: Five Card Pot Limit Omaha
FIVE IS BETTER THAN FOUR
PLO-5 is a variation of Omaha-style poker where instead of four hole cards, you are dealt five. Pot Limit Omaha is perhaps the most played poker game in online poker rooms after Texas Holdem.
The very popular 4-Card Pot Limit Omaha was so successful that soon there was a new variant of this game that gained the interest of the poker community - PLO-5. The only difference between the two variants is that in PLO-5, there is one more hole card dealt to each player.
Experience the excitement of Five Card Pot Limit Omaha right here on Natural8!
What is PLO-5 Poker?
PLO-5 is a variant version of Omaha poker. Each player is dealt five private hole cards, which can only be used by that player. Five community cards are then dealt face-up on the board. Players will then use any three of the community cards together with any two of their hole cards to make the best five-card poker hand.
What is Pot Limit?
In Pot Limit poker, you play with Pot Limit rules. This means that the maximum bet depends on the size of the pot itself. Unlike No Limit variants, you won't always have the possibility to go 'All-In' in any given hand.
Pot Limit Omaha is a nuts game, but when you add the PLO-5 to the mix, the game becomes even more challenging. Pocket Aces or Kings rarely win, but on top of that, flushes and straights are not unusual. In this game, you should always aim for the nut draw.
Your ranges as a player should be tighter because all the players have 5 cards, and even chasing after straights and flushes doesn't guarantee the winning hand.
Five Is Better Than Four
PLO-5 is a variation on Omaha style poker where instead of four hole cards, you are dealt five. However, unlike in Texas Hold 'em, in 5 Card Pot Limit, you can only use two cards from your hand and three from the community cards to make your best five-card hand!
PLO 5 Actions
Check: Check to complete your turn without betting.
Bet: If you have a good hand, you may want to bet to win a bigger pot.
Raise: Tell your opponents that you're not messing around.
Call: Call to look up your opponent's hands. Not all bets equate to strong hands.
All-in: Apply maximum pressure on your opponents.
Fold: Throw away your cards and forfeit whatever you have put in the pot.
How to Play Pot Limit Omaha 5?
If you want to get into this poker variant and try yourself in the Natural8 online poker room, here's a quick guide on how to play PLO-5.
The Opening Deal
The dealer deals five hole cards facedown to each player at the table.
First Round of Betting
The betting starts from the player to the left of the Big Blind. They put their bet into the pot, and other players are given the opportunity to call the bet, raise or fold. The Pot Limit rules force the players to follow set limits when it comes to betting. They can't place bets that are higher than the total size of the pot.
The Flop
The dealer deals three community cards face-up on the table.
Second Round of Betting
Players can check, raise or fold. If the raise is made, every player is obligated to either call the bet, fold or raise. If players choose to raise, the betting continues.
Turn
The dealer deals the fourth community card on the table.
Third Round of Betting
Similarly to the second round, players have the opportunity to check, fold or raise. The same rules from the second round of betting apply here as well.
River
The dealer deals the fifth and final community card on the table.
Final Round of Betting
The same rules from previous betting rounds apply here.
Showdown
The players who haven't folded up until this point open their hole cards in turn clockwise around the table. The winner is the player with the highest hand. They win the pot.
PLO Strategy: How to Win PLO 5?
Good strategy can't hurt when it comes to playing poker. Recreational players, as well as experts in different poker variants, can benefit from a well-thought-out plan on how to defeat any opponent.
5 Card PLO poker, although challenging, is extremely popular. Picking up a few tips before sitting at the poker table is a great idea. Here's how you can become the PLO mastermind!
Learn From 4 Card Pot Limit Omaha
A good starting point would be to look at the concepts you are familiar with from 4 Card PLO games and translate them to the 5 Card PLO. This is something very valuable because you are able to spot the similarities between two variants and use them to your advantage.
Of course, the key to success lies in understanding these similarities and differences. A good example would be the fact that with the 5 hole card present, the side cards play a vital role, in contrast to the fact that suited Kings are a lot less valuable.
Extra hole card in 5 Card PLO makes a big difference, which is something to be mindful of. At the same time, using what you already know can be a big help in building your PLO strategy.
Be Careful With the Slow Playing
Many players tend to evaluate their hand strength pre and post-flop. There is little place for slow playing in this variant of poker. In 5 Card PLO, you need more combined blockers to justify slow playing. Otherwise, you're giving your opponents an upper hand.
What qualifies as very strong hands changes, too. So although there is a place for slow play in PLO-5, you have to be aware of the fact that generally, there are fewer bluffs in this game.
Play Tight and Dominate
In 5 Card PLO games, cold calling increases. Players have more equity with the medium-strong hands, which means they are more motivated to enter the flop. It is normal for your VPIP to increase as you defend the blinds and cold call in position more often.
In PLO-5, similarly to 4 Card PLO, it's common for people to play too many hands. This is why you should tighten down because you need a hand that will beat other players.
Lead
The good strategy in 5 Card Pot Limit is not to shy away from betting higher when the opportunity presents itself (of course, if you are ready for such a strategy). Your opponents will have more equity on average against your value range.
Of course, this doesn't mean you should be reckless. The general rule is that you need more equity to be able to justify betting a hand with little equity against your opponent's range.
It's a good idea to step into the role of the preflop raiser. This way, you can prevent other players from bluffing you. Being more of a leader is very beneficial for you. With 5 cards, there are more potential blocking cards and a higher removal effect. There is more to gain in leading in heads up or multiway pots.
Aim for the Best Hand Possible
This might be relatively obvious for many players. The strongest hand has the biggest potential of winning. You should think strategically about what kind of hand you're entering the pot with.
It's tempting to enter the pot with, for example, a double suited hand, but when it comes to this variant of poker, it is often not enough to win the game. Even King-high suits sometimes just won't cut it.
Remember About Your Bankroll Management
As exciting as Omaha might be, it is not very smart to only chase the thrill. This is an especially useful tip for the begginers in PLO 5. Sticking with the games with the lower stakes is a great way to not exhaust your bankroll and gain the necessary experience. If you're not the poker expert, choose games that are suitable for your level.
PLO-5 Table Information
| Stakes | Blinds | Buy-ins | Rake (%) | Rake Cap (2~3) | Rake Cap (4+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | $0.01 / $0.02 | $0.50 ~ $2 | 5% | $0.03 | $0.06 |
| $0.02 / $0.05 | $1 ~ $5 | $0.08 | $0.15 | ||
| $0.05 / $0.10 | $2 ~ $10 | $0.15 | $0.30 | ||
| $0.10 / $0.25 | $5 ~ $25 | $0.38 | $0.75 | ||
| Middle | $0.25 / $0.50 | $10 ~ $50 | 5% | $0.50 | $1 |
| $0.50 / $1 | $20 ~$100 | $1 | $2 | ||
| $1 / $2 | $40 ~ $200 | $2 | $4 | ||
| High | $2 / $5 | $100 ~ $500 | 5% | $3.75 | $7.50 |
| $5 / $10 | $200 ~ $1,000 | $7.50 | $15 | ||
| VIP Games (Standard) | $25 / $50 | $1,000 ~ $5,000 | 5% | $25 | $50 |
| $50 / $100 | $2,000 ~ $10,000 | $50 | $100 | ||
| $100 / $200 | $4,000 ~ $20,000 | $100 | $200 | ||
| $200 / $400 | $8,000 ~ $40,000 | $200 | $400 | ||
| VIP Games (Ante) | $25 / $50 ($10) | $2,000 ~ $10,000 | 5% | $25 | $50 |
| $50 / $100 ($25) | $4,000 ~ $20,000 | $50 | $100 | ||
| $100 / $200 ($50) | $8,000 ~ $40,000 | $100 | $200 | ||
| $200 / $400 ($100) | $16,000 ~ $80,000 | $200 | $400 |
Summary
PLO-5 is definitely one of the most exciting games for poker enthusiasts. With a little bit of knowledge and a good strategy in place, anyone can become a 5 Card PLO expert! In Natural8 poker room, you will find many cash games, including Omaha and Texas Holdem. Challenge yourself and win big!
Terms & Conditions
- Players must be aged 18 and above to participate in this promotion.
- This game uses 1 deck of 52 cards and the deck is shuffled after each hand.
- Amount committed to the pot will still be in play in the event of a disconnection. Natural8 players accept the risk of internet disconnection, due to problems with the connection between their device(s) and the servers, lag or freeze or some other problem in the player’s device(s) or how that device accesses the internet.
- This promotion is subject to the terms and conditions of the Natural8 website.
- Natural8 is an advocate of safer gambling. If you feel you might have an online gambling problem, do seek further advice or counseling at www.begambleaware.org
