The Balance of PLO8

As I've been grinding PLO8 daily for a few months, I wanted to share my thinking on game strategy and moving up in limits. It seems most of the 2+2ers prefer LO8, and there's not too much discussion on PL or NL versions.

The best way I can describe attacking PLO8 is maintaining a balance. As you start out at the bottom (.05/.10), you will have many players seeing the flop, as much as 75%. Because you're fighting so many hands in a given pot, it's best to let the other players do the betting for you if you connect on the flop. This concept is strongly applied with a nut low - I usually expect it to be a quartered low with so many opponents. So sit back and call it down unless you think you might have a chance at the high pot. (Don't be afraid to get quartered on small pots, it's usually worth the information anyway.)

Some players like to pot bet with the nut low, to try and scare off others with the same low and avoid the quarter. Make notes on these players. My opinion is don't overestimate your opponents - there are a lot of beginners that will throw in no matter what.

When I have a scooping hand and it's time to bet out, I usually fire out with half the pot. I stick to this firmly, regardless of my strength (even if I have the mortal nuts). The consistency of my bet often gives me information based on how my opponents react. Also, on hands where I have superior position and it's checked around, firing out that same bet can thin the field or sometimes steal a pot. (Playing the river is different, either a value bet or full pot depending on how strong I am and how pot committed everyone else might be.)

There are basically two types of players at the beginning levels: Tight short stacks and loose aggressive big stacks (LAGs). The big stacks buy in the max amount, and try to create big pots by making big bets. They hope to make money by stealing pots through aggression and winning a big scoop with an odd (weak) starting hand. Expect these players to play over 50% of all hands.

I prefer the tighter smaller method, especially at the smallest stakes. Buying in for only a few dollars, makes it an easy decision to push/call all-in on a big pot (especially when you are already freerolling on low or high). Even if you rebuy the small amount 3 times, you're still not down one full buy in. (Yes, it limits the amount you can win early on, but you can build your stack quickly on one or two hands.)

Pay attention to any players who bet out two pair - especially lower two pair. These LAGs try to steal, or build a pot in order to give them odd to chase the (at best) 6 outer full house. Make notes on all the players - most don't mix it up enough.

At the lowest limits I see 30%-40% of flops, depending on the cards. It's very common to limp into most pots. A good player can expect to pull chips on 33% of flops seen. I find losing sessions are below 33% and winners are usually above 33%.

As you move up in limits, play gets progressively tighter. Picture an upside down funnel - as you move towards the top of the funnel, it's size gets smaller. Most of these tighter players are trying to save their chips for the most extreme scooping situations. As you move up to .25/.50 or .50/1, flops seen can drop into the 20%-30% range. If a loose table opens up at this level (or above), expect to see a long waiting list.

This is where balance ties everything together. Assuming you are properly bankrolled and have some inclination of how your opponents play, don't be afraid to loosen up these tighter tables. Learn to play loose, buy in short to start. As you move up in limits you're only going to see tighter and tighter play. You will face more pre-flop raises at these levels, so don't be afraid to call/push with good starting hands.

As for bankroll and starting hands, I follow a 25x max buy in rule to determine which stakes I play. (This applies to full ring, not 6 max). I play a looser version of the Hutchinson point system. (I really feel it was designed for LO8.) If you don't know what the Hutchinson point system is, get googling now!

I guess you could sum everything up as, "Learn the table texture and play accordingly." It's not really that simple. Go back to the funnel. As you start at the bottom, play tight and then adjust to table conditions. As you move up the funnel, start loose and then adjust as needed.

I play this game to help maximize my rakeback and rewards, but I think it's one of the softest games in online poker. I'll sit at a lower limit all day long if I know I can beat the game. (There's no better feeling than taking down a pot in PLO8 on a stone bluff!)