One of the biggest adjustments players new to Pot-Limit Omaha need to make is to the size of possible straight draws, it is possible to hold a straight with no less than 20 ‘outs' on the flop in PLO Poker – yet many players make huge errors with these holdings.
- Poker Big Wrap Pot Limit Omaha
- Wrap Poker Omaha Steaks
- Wrap Poker Omaha Nebraska
- Wrap Poker Omaha Poker
- Wrap Poker Omaha Ne
During 'The Big Wrap' festival held at King's Resort in April 2019, we hosted a €100/€100/€200 pot-limit omaha cash game featuring some of the world greats including Sam Trickett, JNandez. Big Dog Poker tournaments tonight, I'll be playing in the HORSE Event, $125 Bounty, and possibly the $4k GTD, and Big O tournaments. Times posted are CST. There are also some cash games going. I play Omaha high and low.
This is the first part of a 3 article series which will look at straights and wraps in PLO Poker in some detail. Here we examine the variety of straight draws available and the starting hands which give you the potential to flop the largest of these draws. We will also look at ‘trap wraps' by covering scenarios where not all of your outs are clean.
In the second part of this series we look at wraps with help – that is to say those times when you have additional ways to win a showdown such as flushes or a pair. The 3rd part will look into Omaha flop hand match-ups which involve wraps against a variety of opponent holdings.
Wraps In Pot Limit Omaha – Hierarchy Of Common Straight Draws
1 – Gutshot Straight Draw – 4 Outs – Example: A-2-9-J on a flop of 4-5-8
2 – Open Ended Straight Draw – 8 Outs – Example: 4-5-Q-Q on flop of 6-7-K
3 – Inside Broadway Draw – 9 Outs – Example: 5-10-J-K on flop of 7-Q-A
4 – 12 Out Straight Draw – 12 Outs – Example: 7-9-J-Q on flop of 2-8-10
4 – 13 Card Wrap Draw – 13 Outs – Example: 5-6-8-9 on flop of 4-7-K
6 – 17 Card Wrap Draw – 17 Outs – Example: 10-9-6-2 on flop of 8-7-A
6 – 20 Card Wrap Draw – 20 Outs – Example: 10-9-6-5 on flop of 8-7-2
When considering the power of wrap around straight draws we need to consider several inter-relating factors. These include the following questions:
What Starting Hands Produce The Most Powerful Omaha Wrap Straight Draws?
Here is the key ‘Wraps Love Gaps ', that is to say you need gaps in your starting hand in order to flop the best possible wraps. Within this there is a proviso – that the ‘2-gap' hands which can produce the biggest wrap draws of all are not necessarily the most desirable pot-limit Omaha starting hands, since not all your outs are to the nuts, especially when the gaps are at the top end. High-card strength and / or suitedness (along with good table position) can really help with these hands.
How Many Of My Outs Are To The Nuts?
It is easy to find yourself counting a huge number of outs, only to find that less than half of them are to the nuts. Chasing a ‘Sucker-Wrap' can be hugely expensive in Omaha, you will find yourself winning a small pot or losing a big one to a better draw. If you have a read (for example that your opponent has a set), or help (for example a flush draw or pairs) then non-nut wraps can be played more aggressively.
Is There A Flush Or Flush Draw Available On The Flop?
Key to the power of your wrap is whether the flop contains 2 suited cards, if you do not have a flush draw yourself then this can devalue your hand significantly. Against multiple opponents even the strongest wraps should be given up on a monotone (single suit) flop when you have no help. Position is key to playing wraps where other draws are possible, since this will often allow you to better control the size of the pot.
What Is The Likelihood That Some Of My Outs Are In Opponents Hands?
When considering a broadway (picture card) wrap draw it is important to consider that your opponents may be holding a number of your outs. Since high cards and connected cards are more likely to be in the pot pre-flop, it can be possible for several cards to be taken. For example when playing an inside broadway straight against 2 opponents it is feasible that you could end up with a split pot more than half of the time – and an opponent with the same straight draw and a set could be freerolling for the full house on later streets.
How Deep Are The Chip Stacks, And Where In The Betting Order Do We Sit?
While the depth of stacks and position are more a key strategy component with PLO poker than specific to wrap draws – the strength of your draw and position are closely related. This becomes most apparent when your flop bet is flat called and the turn does not complete your draw. Changing from a solid favorite to an underdog to win the pot means that position or the ability to threaten your opponent with a potentially large re-raise are key weapons.
Part 2 of our series looking at straight and wrap draws on pot limit Omaha poker will examine those times when you have a wrap plus some further help in the hand.
How Pot Limit Omaha Poker is Different from Texas Holdem Poker?
How to play Pot Limit Omaha Poker?
The Dealer and the Blinds
Dealing the Cards again
Pre-Flop Round
Flop
This is followed by another round starting from the player sitting to the left of the Dealer. All players have an option to check, call or raise.
Turn
River and Showdown
After one more round, all remaining players go into the Showdown to determine who has the best combination of cards. This combination is seen from three Community Cards and two of the four Hole Cards.
Poker Big Wrap Pot Limit Omaha
How is the winner determined in Pot Limit Omaha?
• The players are allowed to use only and exactly two hole cards and three Community Cards, to make their best hand possible. This also forms the basis to be the winner.
• In case of a deadlock with regards to common weak cards with all the players, then the winner is decided on the basis of the highest valued single card.
• All participants must use two cards of their own. In case they all have a straight board, they will complete it with their two cards and to emerge as the winner.
• The relevancy and priority of cards are irrelevant to the strength of a hand.
Basic Omaha Poker Strategy
• It's all about your starting hand range - Pot-Limit Omaha has a separate set of starting hands you should be paying heed to. Considering a player is dealt four cards, they are tempted to play more often falling into the trap of any four cards are great Omaha Poker hands to play.
• Your golden pair of aces aren't as golden in Pot Limit Omaha. A pair of aces might be a strong Omaha poker hand preflop, but unless they improve, you're surely beat in a multi-way pot.
• Keep the poker bluffing for texas holdem poker. A Pot-Limit Omaha game witnesses lesser bluffs because a sign of strength in the wagering rounds is likely to be a strong hand.
• Draw for the nuts. When you find yourself investing large amounts into a pot with a drawing hand, it is advisable to do so with Omaha poker hands that are drawing to the nuts.
Every out gives you an approximate 4% chance of hitting on the turn and river combined. For example, five outs give you about a 20% chance of improving. Six outs = 24% and so on.
Wrap Poker Omaha Steaks
Specific Draws | Outs |
---|---|
Flush draw with two overcards or a straight flush draw | 15 Outs |
Flush draw with one overcard | 12 Outs |
Flush draw | 9 Outs |
Open-ended straight draw | 8 Outs |
Two overcards | 6 Outs |
Gut-shot straight draw | 4 Outs |
Basic Pre-Flop Strategy for Pot-Limit Omaha Poker
1. How aggressive are the players? The tighter the table, the looser the starting hand and vice versa.
2. How many players are seated at your table? Play tighter at a full table and looser at a short-handed table.
3. How many players have folded or how many are in the hand when it's your turn to act? Generally, you should be ¾.
4. What is your current position on the table? Play tighter from an early position and add to your Omaha poker hand range as your position moves along the table.
5. If the pot has been raised by a player, from which player and what position are they in? If many players are in the pot ahead of you you'll only want to enter the hand with multiple card combinations that have nut draw potential. Draw for the nuts or fold.
Pot-Limit Omaha Starting Hands
Following suit in the best Omaha poker starting hands are Double-suited hands with high-value connectors and pairs. Here are a few to keep your eye out for:
• A♠ A♥ J♥ T♠
• K♠ Q♣ J♠ T♣
• Q♥ Q♠ J♥ T♠
• A♦ A♠ 7♠ 6♦
These are Pot Limit Omaha starting hands that promise high potential to hold a straight, flush and set.
Trap Hands to avoid in Pot-Limit Omaha
Wrap Poker Omaha Nebraska
• A Small Pair - Imagine you've been dealt 6♥ 6♣ 4♦ 3♣. We suggest not playing the hand, but if you are, it's a set or full house you're hoping for. Let's say the flop lands Q♦ J♣ 6♦, not a great one for you in Omaha poker, but the idea of the set holding good thanks to texas Holdem odds sets you up for a clear losing hand here. You are often outrun by a higher set in Pot Limit Omaha, flopping the set is possibly the biggest red flag for you to fold.
• Low Wrap Hands - By playing low Omaha poker sequences like 5♠ 4♣ 3♠ 2♣, you know well enough that you could be on the sucker end of this straight. Texas Holdem Poker should have already taught you that. The luring flop reveals 6-7-8, you take the bait and it's likely someone has a 9-10, you draw dead.
• Small Flush Hands - If we haven't said it enough Pot Limit Omaha is a nut game. You got to have the best, a lower card flush usually means you are losing the pot most often. Work those ace-high flushes for starters and don't let the small flush hands trap you.
Which hands should you raise in Pot Limit Omaha Poker?
Wrap Poker Omaha Poker
- The thumb rule to follow for Omaha poker and raising preflop:- Raise only with the top 30 Pot Limit Omaha Starting hand
- Ensure you have at least two to a suit
- Hands with three face cards including a suited Ace
- Running cards (including one-gappers) which are double suited. For example 7 8 T J double-suited or 6 8 9 T double-suited
- Double suited premium pairs
1 | AA-KK | double-suited |
2 | AA-J-T | double-suited |
3 | AA-QQ | double-suited |
4 | AA-JJ | double-suited |
5 | AA-TT | double-suited |
6 | AA-9-9 | double-suited |
7 | AA-x-x | double-suited |
8 | J-T-9-8 | double-suited |
9 | KK-QQ | double-suited |
10 | KK-JJ | double-suited |
11 | K-Q-J-T | double-suited |
12 | KK-TT | double-suited |
13 | KK-A-Q | double-suited |
14 | KK-A-J | double-suited |
15 | KK-A-T | double-suited |
16 | KK-Q-J | double-suited |
17 | KK-Q-T | double-suited |
18 | KK-J-T | double-suited |
19 | QQ-JJ | double-suited |
20 | QQ-TT | double-suited |
21 | QQ-A-K | double-suited |
22 | QQ-A-J | double-suited |
23 | QQ-A-T | double-suited |
24 | QQ-K-J | double-suited |
25 | QQ-K-T | double-suited |
26 | QQ-J-T | double-suited |
27 | QQ-J-9 | double-suited |
28 | QQ-9-9 | double-suited |
29 | JJ-TT | double-suited |
30 | JJ-T-9 | double-suited |
Which hands to limp in pot limit Omaha?
Wrap Poker Omaha Ne
• All running cards (without gappers), 5 or higher
• Hands with a suited Ace and straight possibilities
• Running cards with one gapper between the second and third card
The above are just guidelines and need to be applied keeping in mind your Omaha poker table dynamics. Keep in mind your table image, your opponents' skill level, your skill level before making your decision.
5 Card PLO