Most card players believe that getting 4 cards at the beginning of an Omaha hand is like hitting the jackpot. However, a great PLO player will know that more than the starting hand is required to win at this game. Let us know more.
Top 30 Pot-Limit Omaha Starting Hands
The following is the list of the top 30 Pot-Limit Omaha Starting Hands that you could definitely try to emulate in order to win:
1. A-A-K-K-11. K-Q-J-T 21. Q-Q-A-K 2. A-A-J-T 12. K-K-T-T 222. Q-Q-A_J 3. A-A-Q-Q 13. K-K-A-Q 23. Q-Q-A-T 4. A-A-J-J 14. K-K-A-J 24. Q-Q-K-J 5. A-A-T-T 15. K-K-A-T 25. Q-Q-K-T 6. A-A-9-9 16. K-K-Q-J 26. Q-QJ-T 7. A-A-x-x 17. K-K-Q-T 27. Q-Q-J-9 8. J-T-9-8 18. K-K-J-T 28. Q-Q-9-9 9. K-K-Q-Q 19. Q-Q-J-J 29. J-J-T-T 10. K-K-J-J 20. Q-Q-T-T 30. J-J-T-9.
Large pairs have a lot of weight in Hold’em. In Omaha, what you have to do different is redraw possibilities. A-A-J-T in double suits is better than AA-QQ in double suits. The J-T in between enables more combination possibilities.
In Omaha as stated earlier, equity is essential. The starting hand A A has 83% pre flop equity over the second-best K K. The lower down the list a starting hand in Omaha is the greater the edge AA-KK will get. This means that in PLO, even 39% edge is good enough. Unlike Texas Hold’em where the A A has a great 73% edge, PLO opening hands are not as powerful.
How Pot-Limit Omaha Equity Affects You?
The Pot-Limit Omaha equity make sure that you rarely have too much of an edge over the other players in the card game. More than 60% equity in the opening hand in Omaha is almost a dream come true (which does not happen often). This makes Omaha a very challenging game. Even an Omaha player who knows the ins and outs of the game and has a robust bankroll management strategy will need to understand that with every extra player, the finance will swing.
To be successful in Omaha, follow the tricks mentioned below:
1. Choose the starting hands very carefully. Make sure that you do not select the ones where you are continuously at a disadvantage over your rival player. Note that you cannot make up extreme losses in the post-flop period.
2. Keep an optimal value bet in mind for when you do get the almost impossible real edge against the field in Pot-Limit Omaha.
What About Pre-Flop Raising in PLO?
There are several players who will warn you against raising pre flop in Omaha. Since the edge at this stage of the game is small, they think that raising will just increase the variance. This idea is not completely wrong, but the game will suffer because of it. Note that if you have a hand with an edge, then it is an advantage to raise and get the maximum earnings from it, no matter how small.
Final PLO Starting Hands Tip for Beginners
The 30 hands stated above are good PLO starting hands for beginners. Other than that, the only other beginning hands for new players are 4-way connected hands such as 8-9-T-J. Do not start off with weak hands such as A K 4 10.
What Makes a Good Omaha Hand?
The three factors below influence what makes a good Omaha hand:
1. Nuttiness: In Omaha, you need the best hand available which means that when you get a full house, you have to bag the best full house.
2. Suitedness
3. Connectedness
Bad Hands to Avoid in PLO
You need to get hands that have a good enough flopability, are nutty and connected. If not, then they are bad hands in PLO.
Kings vs Aces in PLO is a Mistake
Kings are not really optimum in opening hands. They are weak for the same reasons Aces are weak. One pair does not win at Omaha and unless you have strong allies such as A K K Q or K K Q J, it is better to avoid them in starting hands.
Big Suited and Double-Suited Cards
The big suited hands such as A-K-J-T, A-Q-T-9, K-T-J-9 and so on are great individually but if they are suited or double suited then its party time for you. For instance, A K 10 9 is better than A-K-Q-J. There will be two suits including a nut suit and this will make your cards better than even the ‘smaller flushes’.
Playing OOP in Omaha is Practically Impossible
Playing out of position in Omaha is one of the cardinal errors you can make. It is practically impossible because the lead in Omaha changes in every single hand.
Final Tips
The best starting hands in Omaha are paramount to win a game. These include double-suited hands which give flushes more often. Great pairs such as A A J T make great starting hands as well.
F.A.Q.s
What are the winning hands in Omaha?
The winning hands in Omaha include AAKK double suited with the Ace, AAJT in double-suited format, AAQQ in double-suited format and AAJJ in double-suited format.
What’s the best low hand in Omaha Hi Lo?
The best low hand in Omaha Hi Lo is the 5-4-3-2-A which os often called the ‘Wheel’ or ‘Bicycle’.
Is Omaha harder than Hold’em?
Yes, Omaha is harder than Hold’em. Here you need to keep the equity and starting hand in mind all the while.