Quote:
Originally Posted by Garick
So what is the advantage of a LO8 game that converts to a PLO game whenever no low is possible?
It's usually harder for limit players at any level to switch mental gears to PLO (essentially playing for stacks much of the time) - and this way they have to do it mid-hand.
Example - seven handed Omaha 8 with 2 and 5 blinds, one raise and five way to the flop, pot is 10 BB's, $50 no rake. Not uncommon for a home game. If it was a 10-20 home game now the pot is 10BB's, $100.
Flop action in limit Omaha 8? Usually. Before the turn the pot is often 12-15 BB's. Villains chase the low, the straight, the flush, or whatever. Comes the turn and, if the low is still possible, more BB's go in ... but in a limit home game what are the stack sizes? Enough to play a pot limit turn and/or river?
What often happens is the low becomes impossible on the turn and the flush/straight chasers are so short stacked (until they win a few hands and then it's "game on") that they shove with just the river to come. Doesn't matter who wins, it augments the action more often than not.
And with that extra action, a Hero who already plays pot limit or no limit should have an edge over Villains who might not be that familiar with pot limit or no limit strat.
At least that was the case in my home game way back when I wasn't yet a geezer.