OK, so you tried limit omaha high/low and you loved it. Chances are that you experienced some success with basic strategy and disciplined play. You learned the relative value of hands, the importance of position, scooping, and selecting your game carefully. You discovered when to stay in, when to get out, when to be aggressive, and when to just “play along”. A curious thought occurs to you one day: “What if I tried the pot-limit version? After all, it can’t be that different.” Fairly soon, you discover that what worked so well in a limit game will not exactly make you wealthy in pot-limit. There are certain minimal adjustments you need to make. Pot-limit is a different beast. Surprisingly, there is little information available on how to play the game. In this article, we will look at some of the things you need to be aware of in order to keep your head above water.

Why Play Pot-Limit O8 at all?

There is more money in it. Period. That is, if you can win. Being a limit winner does not translate to being a pot limit-winner, and vice versa! If you have problems with tilt, stay away from pot-limit. (In fact, staying away from poker altogether until you can handle it may be the best thing for you.) Pot-limit is more difficult in certain aspects, and, therefore, the profit potential is greater for better players.

Essential #1: Mind Adjustment (Psychology)

In general, you will experience greater swings in pot-limit cash games than in limit games. Playing without being psychologically ready to accept those swings is a dangerous proposition. Make sure you are comfortable with increased bankroll volatility. This factor alone could be significant enough to make pot-limit unprofitable for you. It is nearly impossible to give it your best when you feel uncomfortable or worried. Can you handle reloading five times in a row without twitching? More profit potential means more loss potential. Be honest with yourself. Can you take it? How will you be able to exist or to play on if significant losses occur? And believe me, they will. Have a specific plan for handling that. Write it down, and stick with it, come what may. Most players simply come apart. At pot-limit, you can blow your entire bankroll in only a few hours if you tilt. Deal with stress and pressure or it will deal with you. Pot-limit is more psychologically demanding.

Essential #2: Method Adjustment (Strategy)

Certain strategic factors become much more important in pot-limit than in limit. Being able to bet the pot allows for greater leverage. Thus, the importance of position in pot-limit cannot be emphasized enough. Playing first is a significant disadvantage, much more so than in limit omaha. Therefore, tightening in early positions is important. This leads us to the next point: reading your opponents’ increases in importance as well. Is the man across the table trying to push you out of the pot? Does he have a premium scoop hand? Is he trying to build the pot? Does it seem like he has a marginal hand in both directions? Is he trying to push out as many players as he can in hopes of winning half the pot? How often does he bluff with a check-raise? Is he steaming because he is down and trying to get back to even? Did the player just move up from a lower limit and is he playing timid? Playing pot-limit at a table where you have no clue about your opposition can be an expensive adventure. The more you know, the better off you will be. Understanding the meaning of your opponents’ pot size bets is the key to thriving at the game. If you have no clue how they think, you can hardly do that. Psychology, reading opponents, and thinking coolly through the possibilities in pot-limit omaha high-low are all of paramount importance, more so than precise hand evaluation. This makes pot-limit more interesting and more challenging. You will have to do more thinking. Pot-limit is more strategically demanding.

Essential #3: Money Management Adjustment (Bankroll)

Now we come to the most neglected aspect: money management adjustments. You are likely better off thinking in terms of table limits (or “reloads”) rather than big bets. In selecting the correct limit, you must consider the worst-case scenario: “How much do I need in order to survive the worst run of cards?” You will have to do some serious math here. Don’t think that money management is not a factor. Poor management will take you out of the game before you have a chance to become good or at least get better. The tendency to be over-bankrolled is a lot healthier than trying to make a run at a higher limit, only to come up half way short. I personally suggest that you start with the lowest limit available at your favorite poker site, regardless of your bankroll size. Get your feet wet before trying to swim. The water might be too deep or too cold for your liking. Pot-limit requires smarter money management.

Conclusion

Pot-limit is a different beast. Certain considerations carry more weight. Make sure you adjust your psychology, strategy and money management accordingly.

Happy Playing!