Do you wish to make a switch from Hold’em to Pot-limit Omaha (or PLO)? Then, you must learn how to select your starting hands. Unlike Texas Hold’em, starting hands in Omaha is much complicated.
There are over 270,725 starting hands combinations in Omaha. That’s 200 times the number of starting hand combinations in Hold’em.
And that’s not the only difference! In Texas Hold’em, players will miss the flop 2/3 of the time, but in Pot-limit Omaha, players will almost always connect someway. Therefore, they have to ensure they have a solid starting hand to pick the favorable spots.
That said, here, we’ve provided you with the best Omaha hands selection strategy utilized by pro players today. Without delay, let’s dive in!
Select the Best PLO Starting Hands
Having a Pot limit Omaha strategy is the best way to gain more success in the game. The strategy involves carefully selecting the best starting hands.
Like in Hold’em, Omaha large pairs hold a lot of value. The need for redraw possibility is what differentiates them. This explains why A-A-J-T is the second-best starting hand, ahead of AA-QQ. When J-T replaces QQ, it boosts the straight potential. However, the best Pot-limit starting hand is A-A-K-K.
The equity in Omaha’s starting hands varies. The best starting hand A-A-K-K holds a 33% pre-flop equity to win (and 41% to tie) against the second-best hand selection A-A-J-T. However, in Hold’em, the first starting hand, A-A, has 83% equity over the second-best hand K-K. That’s a 66% edge for the No. 1 hand to win against the second hand. In Omaha, the edge is only 6%.
The first PLO starting hand gains more edge when placed against the 4th or 30th starting hands. For example, A-A-K-K has a 69% winning chance against K-K-J-J that’s ranked 10th in the list of the best starting hand. The first-hand gains a 39% edge, which is quite better than 6% in earlier comparison.
Consider The Factors That Make a Good Hands
In Omaha, there are several hand combinations, and each combination determines if you will win or lose the game. Thankfully, we’ve listed below several factors that contribute to a good hand.
But before we can look at them, keep in mind, you will only enjoy the best Omaha games at the best casinos, especially those in Canada. In Canada, online gambling is legal, but only licensed providers can offer the services. Rest assured, you will have a safe and regulated gaming experience, whether you like classic slots, Texas Hold’em, or Omaha. Regulated Canadian casinos also offer quality games and exceptional customer service.
That said, here are the factors that make a good hand:
Nuttiness
Players of Omaha poker, whether via casino gaming apps or at land-based casinos, can easily flop something strong since they have four cards to start with. That’s why it’s crucial to play hands that make nuts with ease.
When you play draws to the 2nd and 3rd nuts, you’re using a losing strategy. Consider playing hands comprising top cards to make the straight or nut flush. High cards give players an upper hand, especially during showdowns. Always play cards with the potential to make the nuts.
Suitedness and Connectedness of the Hand
Sturdiness and connectedness are crucial factors in PLO and can influence your chance of making flushed and straights. But keep in mind that this is only possible if there’s a nut potential.
Avoid Bad Starting Hands
There are several non-favorable cards that players can get pre-flop in Omaha. One such card is the dangler. Dangler here means a card that hurting your hand. If you have a dangler in your four-card hand, then it won’t add any value.
Let’s assume a gambler dealt three powerful cards A-K-J and a 6, the 6 is the dangler. You must avoid hands with dangler at all costs. Luckily, A-K-J cards still have potential. In Pot-Limit Omaha, you can only use two of them for a strong pair.
When playing Omaha, it’s wise to evaluate starting hands in POT and stick only to those that can win the game.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, knowing the best starting hands in Omaha gives you an advantage over other gamblers. During the game, try to identify double-suited hands since they flush more often than single-suited hands. Also, like in any other online casino game, be patient and try to minimize your losses.
We hope you’ve loved these PLO tips and tricks. Thank you for stopping by, and best of luck!
Author Kevin N. Cochran is an online gambling enthusiast. He creates relevant and attractive blogs on various gambling topics to help beginner and pro gamblers.
