As no-limit hold'em games get tougher, we are seeing more and more players switching to pot-limit omaha (PLO).
New players who are new to hold'em may find Omaha more satisfying, as the odds of winning are “higher” due to the number of cards.
PLO is a high variance game, so poor players can build up a large bankroll without much knowledge of the game because the equity between hands preflop is very similar. Weak players will not lose as much money preflop as in hold'em and can build up an illusion of confidence that will keep them playing.
As an experienced NLHE player transitioning to PLO, there are a few important things you should know before venturing into the waters of Pot-Limit Omaha:
1 – High pairs in PLO are not the same as high pairs in NLHE.
This reflects the fact that the hand equities are very similar. AAxx against four random cards is only a 63/35 favorite. While it is still a good favorite, it is not nearly as good as the 85/15 favorite it would be in NLHE. This proves that your preflop edge is nothing compared to the factors in your postflop play. These are the factors that will determine whether or not you are a winning player. Great PLO players know that different hands have varying strengths on different textured boards. Undervaluing big pairs preflop is a lesson that should be learned.
2 – Position is even more important.
In PLO it becomes even more important to play multiple hands in position, especially after the flop, due to the equity differences as seen above. Any time you can go to the flop with at least 35% equity, with position and a good amount of money behind, you can play the hand profitably. In NLHE it is generally incorrect to call with speculative hands from late position against early position raises, as you will have a large equity disadvantage. However, in PLO where the equities are similar, your post-flop advantage can turn that 40% into a very profitable situation. Make life difficult for your opponents by making them play out of position.
3 – Big connected cards have more value than low ones.
While the equities are similar, you should think about the playability of the cards post-flop. Yes, connected and suited cards add value to your equity, but you should focus on situations where you can make the nuts – whether they are straight nuts or nut flushes. In PLO, it is important to have hands that can make the nuts, so you can play more confidently in your equity. It is also obvious that high cards will make top 2 pairs, while low cards will make bottom 2 pairs at most. Anyone who has played PLO knows that bottom two pairs is not a very strong hand.
4 – The value of the hands is not the same.
This is simple. Since you have 4 cards instead of 2, the possibility of combos increases a lot. In NLHE, hands like two pair are strong hands, but in PLO two pair ends up being a bluff catcher at best, of course, depending on the board texture. Low flushes are not the same thing in PLO. It is much easier to make a flush, so you should avoid putting your entire stack on the line with a low flush that can easily be beaten by a higher one. If your opponent bets aggressively, you should learn to tune out this type of hand, which can be difficult since a flush is usually the nuts in NLHE. In PLO, a low flush is not the nuts hand.
5 – The game is looser pre-flop
In a short-handed NLHE game, it is correct to play a tight game between 15 and 30% hands, depending on the opponents and the playing conditions. In PLO, because of the similar preflop equity, you can profitably play many more hands, especially from late position. Winning PLO player ranges at low stakes range from 20 to 30%, and can go as high as 40% in late position. Obviously, this is not an exact science, and many players can profitably play more than 30% hands. However, if you play less than 20% hands in PLO, you are probably playing too tight. In NLHE, playing less than 20% hands is completely acceptable.
Article translated and adapted from: Pot Limit Omaha vs No Limit Hold'em
English 
Português do Brasil 
Español 