Omaha poker has taken on a life of its own, complete with high/low versions and numerous variants. Omaha Hi/Lo Split-8 or Better – or Omaha-8 or similar modification of the name – is a very common variation on the base Omaha game.

Other Omaha poker variants include Five-Card Omaha, Big O (also known as Five-Card Omaha Hi/Lo Split-8 or Better), Six-Card Omaha, and Courchevel.

Six-Card Omaha, also called PLO6, is a variation that gives each player six cards instead of two like in Hold’em and four in standard Omaha. All of the other rules of Omaha apply to Six-Card Omaha.

• A player must use two of their hole cards plus three community cards to make a winning five-card hand.
• Betting rounds take place before the flop, after the flop, after the turn, and once more after the river.

Most often, Six-Card Omaha is played as a pot limit game, meaning the maximum bet is the size of the pot. Players must then pay attention to the size of the pot at all times, though the dealer will often provide an exact amount if a player wants to “bet pot.” 

Six-Card Pot Omaha Rules & Strategy

The six hole cards create many more starting hand possibilities than the four cards in standard PLO. This provides more incentive for players to see a flop with a wide range of starting hands, including straight and flush draws.

While A-A-K-K double-suited remains a premium starting hand, a triple-suited hand with high cards is even better. However, almost every hand including double-suited high cards and pairs should see a flop.

The six hole cards also provide more blockers. High suited cards block opponents’ high straights and flushes, which decreases their range. 

In general, the opportunities provided by six hole cards give many players the incentive needed to see a flop. This builds big pre-flop pots, and many will fold if they don’t make a premium betting hand after the flop. It is all the more important to strategize your own range and be prepared to defend post-flop if at all possible. 

Common Mistakes in Six-Card Omaha and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake in Six-Card Omaha, especially by new players, is playing a four-card PLO strategy. Players often limit themselves in their opening range and don’t see enough flops, which keeps them from using community cards effectively. Some players also fold quickly after appearing to miss the flop, but they didn’t sufficiently consider blockers and possible bluffs. 

A dangler in 6-Card Omaha is a starting hand that contains unsuited and unpaired cards. It is likely due to the sheer number of cards dealt to each player. New players may be inclined to fold a dangler, but this will keep them from playing many hands. Danglers are inevitable in PLO6, so it is best to see some flops and find ways to play those cards.

With all of these possibilities, it is even more important in this game to read your opponents. Their facial expressions upon seeing their hole cards and then the flop, paired with their betting tendencies, can provide a lot of information about their level of risk aversion.

Finally, due to the number of cards available, Six-Card Omaha is often played with four or six players. Indeed, the newness of the game also leads to fewer players willing to step into the PLO6 ring. This means that players must adjust their strategies for short-handed play, a factor that sometimes escapes beginners.

Play Online Poker at BetMGM

To compete with players in today’s poker environment, you need to be well-versed in Pot Limit Omaha. It’s the game that opens doors for many players who find the Hold’em tables too crowded and fields too large.

To explore PLO and other Omaha variants, play poker online at BetMGM. Competing at micro stakes and low stakes is the best way to accrue experience and build strategies for taking your game to the bigger buy-ins and live PLO tables. And don’t forget to use a BetMGM online poker welcome bonus to get started with an edge.