Pot-Limit Omaha · example hand · 9 players · BlindsTwo small bets that two players must put in before the cards are dealt, so there is always something to win. The small blind is 1 chip and the big blind is 2 chips. of 1 and 2 chips · everyone starts with 200 chips
Pot limit (pot-limit)The biggest bet or raise allowed is the size of the pot (counting the call you would make first). The bet buttons show this as “Whole pot” (the most you can bet). Omaha. You start with a high pair plus an ace and a three. The pair looks best, but on the fourth card a different two of your cards make a straight.
A-K-K-3: a pair of kings, three or more of one suit (only two can count). The lesson: In Omaha your hand is always exactly two of your four cards plus three shared cards. Check every pair of your cards, not just the one you liked at the start.
Before the flop
You have A-K-K-3: a pair of kings, three or more of one suit (only two can count). In Omaha you get four cards, and your hand always uses exactly two of them. Otis raises and Kai calls. The coach’s rule of thumb says this hand is strong enough to raise again, though it’s close.
- Walt🐢 Relaxedposts the small blind (1)
- Youpost the big blind (2)
- Rosa🐢 Relaxedfolds
- Dev📞 Calls a lotcalls 2
- Marguerite🪨 Very carefulfolds
- Otis🐢 Relaxedraises to 8
- Kai🔥 Wildcalls 8
- Bea📞 Calls a lotfolds
- Jun🎯 Solidfolds
- Walt🐢 Relaxedfolds
- Youraise to 24
- Dev📞 Calls a lotcalls 22
- Otis🐢 Relaxedfolds
- Kai🔥 Wildfolds
You raise to 24Close call
Coach: Close call, slightly better to raise to 24. A-K-K-3: a pair of kings, three or more of one suit (only two can count). That is about the best 3% of Omaha starting hands. Strong enough to raise again. (A rule of thumb for Omaha starting hands.)
The flop (3 shared cards)pot: 65 chips
The flop, 2♣ 4♥ 7♠, gives you a pair of kings. Only Dev, who calls a lot, is left. You bet the whole pot, which is the most you can bet in pot-limit.
What beats you?
- You have pair of kings.
- Best possible hand right now: three sevens.
- 28,347 of the 148,995 four-card hands another player could hold beat you: three of a kind (7,848 ways), two pair (17,982 ways), pair (2,517 ways).
- 6 cards would help you (your outs): a 13% chance on the next card.
- Youbet 65
- Dev📞 Calls a lotcalls 65
You bet 65Probably
Coach: Bet 65 (the whole pot, the most you can bet). Your chance to win is about 60% (a rough estimate), and worse hands will call.
The turn (4th card)pot: 195 chips
The 5♦ gives you a five-high straight (ace to five). That uses your ace and your three, not your pair: any two of your four cards can make your hand. Bet the rest of your chips.
What beats you?
- You have five-high straight (ace to five).
- Best possible hand right now: eight-high straight.
- 19,236 of the 135,751 four-card hands another player could hold beat you: straight (19,236 ways).
- Youbet 111 (all-in)
- Dev📞 Calls a lotcalls 111 (all-in)
You bet 111 (all-in)Probably
Coach: Bet 111 (all in). Your chance to win is about 72% (a rough estimate), and worse hands will call.
The river (5th card)
No more betting: the players left have put in all their chips.
Result
You win 417 with a five-high straight (ace to five). You finish 217 chips up.
- YouFive-high straight (ace to five)
- DevThree Nines
Dev had three nines. If you had only looked at your pair, you would have missed that the ace and three made the winning hand.
The coach’s numbers are estimates against these computer players, worked out by dealing the rest of the hand thousands of times. The “what beats you” counts are exact.
More example hands
- Two pair against a player who calls everything: bet, bet, betThe first three shared cards give you two pair, against a player who never folds. Make him pay at every step.
- Trips on a paired board: bet, then call the river raiseYou get a free look at the first three cards and make three of a kind. On the last card, a player who calls a lot suddenly raises. Call or fold?
- Chasing the nut flush draw: when the price is rightYou raise with Ace-King of the same suit and miss the first three cards. Then the fourth card gives you four spades, one away from the best possible flush. Is it worth calling?
- A small pair when a player who never bets suddenly bets: believe itEveryone checks after the first three cards. Then a player who almost never bets suddenly bets on the fourth card (the turn). You have the smallest possible pair.
- Omaha Hi-Lo: win both halves of the potOmaha Hi-Lo splits the pot between the best high hand and the best low hand. You start with an ace and a two. By the fourth card you have the best low and a straight too.
- Limit: call when the pot paysLimit Hold’em. You have four hearts after the flop and nothing else. Two players keep betting and calling. With every bet a set size, the pot pays you to chase your flush until the last card.