How to win
Make the strongest five-card high hand or win by folds. Every final hand must use exactly two of your four hole cards and exactly three community cards.
Deal and forced bets
The button, small blind, and big blind work as in Hold'em. Each player receives four private cards.
From deal to showdown
Pot-Limit Omaha rules step by step
- 01
Post blinds and deal four cards
The two blinds seed the pot. Four private hole cards are dealt to every player.
- 02
Play the preflop round
Players fold, call, or raise. A pot-limit raise cannot exceed the maximum pot-sized amount shown by the table.
- 03
Deal the flop
Three shared cards are dealt after a burn card, followed by a betting round.
- 04
Deal the turn
A fourth shared card is dealt after a burn card, followed by another betting round.
- 05
Deal the river
A fifth shared card is dealt after a burn card, followed by the final betting round.
- 06
Build exactly two plus three
At showdown, choose exactly two hole cards and exactly three board cards. Three or four hole cards can never be used.
- 07
Award the pot
The strongest standard high hand wins. Tied hands divide the applicable pot.
Showdown reference
Pot-Limit Omaha hand rankings: strongest to weakest
-
RANK 1
Royal Flush
A-K-Q-J-10 in one suit: the highest possible straight flush.
-
RANK 2
Straight Flush
Five consecutive ranks in one suit. Compare the highest card.
-
RANK 3
Four of a Kind
Four cards of one rank, plus one kicker.
-
RANK 4
Full House
Three cards of one rank plus two cards of another rank.
-
RANK 5
Flush
Five cards in one suit that are not consecutive.
-
RANK 6
Straight
Five consecutive ranks in mixed suits.
-
RANK 7
Three of a Kind
Three cards of one rank plus two unmatched cards.
-
RANK 8
Two Pair
Two cards of one rank, two of another, plus one kicker.
-
RANK 9
One Pair
Two cards of one rank plus three unmatched cards.
-
RANK 10
High Card
No made hand above; compare the highest cards in order.
Practical decisions
Pot-Limit Omaha strategy and best tips
General starting points for casual play—not a promise of results.
Prefer connected cards that work together
Four cards create six two-card combinations. Hands with coordinated ranks and suits offer more useful combinations than isolated high cards.
Draw toward the nuts
PLO produces many strong hands. Small flushes and low straight ends can be dominated even after the draw arrives.
Remember the two-card rule
Before betting, name the exact two hole cards and three board cards that make your hand.
Respect redraws
A current straight may still face flush, full-house, or higher-straight redraws. Extra ways to improve add real value.
Track pot-sized pressure
Pot-limit does not mean small pots. Consecutive pot bets grow quickly, so consider future street sizes before calling.
Common PLO mistakes
- Using only one hole card to claim a flush or straight.
- Overvaluing one pair or two pair on coordinated boards.
- Chasing a non-nut draw in a multiway pot.
- Calling preflop with four cards that have few useful combinations.
PLO hand example
Why one spade is not enough
Your private cards
A♠K♦Q♥J♣
Community cards
2♠5♠9♠K♠3♦
You do not have a flush. Omaha requires exactly two private cards and exactly three community cards. You hold only one spade, so you cannot build five spades using that combination—even though four spades are on the board.
Host Pot-Limit Omaha on Poker Friends
- Open the table setup. Use the create-table button below. Pot-Limit Omaha is selected for you.
- Choose your table settings. Enter a nickname and table name, review the virtual-chip settings and player limit, and set a password if you want one. Then select Start Table.
- Invite your friends. Share the resulting table link or six-character game code. If you set a password, share it with your invited players too.
All chips are virtual and have no cash value. No deposit or download is required.
Keep learning
Related poker guides
Texas Hold'em
Two private cards, five community cards, and four betting rounds.
Read the complete guide →Short Deck Hold'em
Hold'em with a 36-card deck, antes, and adjusted hand rankings.
Read the complete guide →Five-Card Omaha
Five private cards create more combinations, draws, and redraws.
Read the complete guide →Play Pot-Limit Omaha for free
Create a play-money table with Pot-Limit Omaha already selected, then invite your friends. No rake, deposit, payment, or credit card is required.