I have been playing NLHE for about 2 years now, just started learning PLO a few weeks ago. I am really enjoying PLO and from a game play standpoint alone I think I would rather pursue PLO than NLHE, my only concern is that it may be challenging to find live games.
I have yet to play live PLO yet but looking at Poker Bravo, it seems most places that run PLO are only running it during peak times, and there is often only one or two tables running. For those of you that primarily play PLO, is it ever a challenge to find live games? The higher stakes games (5/10 plus) also seem to be pretty difficult to find.
For live PLO specifically it definitely depends on where you live and the playerpool for either casinos or home games. Majority of casinos don't have it running due to small/no playerpool compared to a game like No limit/limit holdem where majority of casinos thats the main game.
it seems most places that run PLO are only running it during peak times, and there is often only one or two tables running. For those of you that primarily play PLO, is it ever a challenge to find live games? The higher stakes games (5/10 plus) also seem to be pretty difficult to find.
Only OMC's play off-peak. 1 table is pretty standard at every card room I've ever seen because most people dont know how to play PLO. The good news is the reason that 1 table runs at all is because it plays around 1 or 2 deep pocketed guys who have no idea what they're doing, so for that reason I still think 1 table PLO card rooms can still be juicy as hell. Unless you're a high roller most 5/5+ PLO games usually have 20k+ on the table so I'd think you would be satisfied with your winrate.
PLO is 'hot' in FL, TX, Vegas, Midwest (home games, Detroit), CA, PA, MD .. pretty much anywhere there's a regular Player pool. Don't be fooled by 1-2-5 PLO, it typically plays large and very well could be more profitable than larger stakes. For example, in Detroit there are some Players who will wait to be 7-8th on the must move table and then cash out when they get called to the main game due to skill and stack depth issues at 'any' stake.
While PLO can be a bit more stressful to a Dealer, there are very few Dealers in my area that will say 'I don't like PLO'. Typically they make 3-5x in a PLO down v a NL down (in less hands dealt).
Talk to your local Floor/Players .. there may be a home game during the week while the casino sees the action on weekends. The more you start the list the more Players will be aware of the interest and may gravitate for a try. PLO will burn up a bankroll in a hurry, we've had quite a few Players who have returned to NL since they couldn't mentally (or actually) handle the variance that PLO produces.
IMO PLO games are harder to navigate since playing styles will change based on how a Player is running and table/stack dynamic. Playing tight only makes you a target and you don't get the 80/20 spots that you can get in NL when a Player decides to 'gamble' .. it's usually 65-35-ish. Bloating a pot PF can make stacks shallow which entices/allows Players to realize their 25-35% equity with the proper pot odds.
Have fun and hopefully you can get ahead of the curve in your area and take advantage of a growing game. GL
you don't get the 80/20 spots that you can get in NL when a Player decides to 'gamble' .. it's usually 65-35-ish.
Is it though? I mean the #1 mistake PLO fish have is playing for 2nd best hands. Allin without the NFD, or just 2 pair, or bottom set. These arent 60/40 splits. These players are crushed into oblivion.
Is it though? I mean the #1 mistake PLO fish have is playing for 2nd best hands. Allin without the NFD, or just 2 pair, or bottom set. These arent 60/40 splits. These players are crushed into oblivion.
I think s/he was referring to preflop spots, not postflop, which makes me wonder whether we should be gambling preflop at all given our large postflop edge anyway.
I think s/he was referring to preflop spots, not postflop, which makes me wonder whether we should be gambling preflop at all given our large postflop edge anyway.
Yes .. and .. 'Hello' .. Played in a new room over the weekend and it was an almost perfect environment .. 1/3 with 10-15 straddle OTB with a 500 max BI. No need to bomb too much Pre when stacks basically get committed by the Turn. It felt so good to pick and choose spots against 100BB foes while being deep enough to scare off the rest of the competition with pot bets behind the all-ins. Made a couple of eye brows raise in a couple hands, but showed up with the nuts often enough to keep um guessing. GL
