6 Card Omaha Strategy Explained: Master the Action-Packed 6-Card Omaha Variant
Welcome to the Madness: What is PLO6?
Let’s get this out there: if you think No Limit Hold’em is the “Cadillac of Poker,” PLO6 is the rocket-powered monster truck. Six hole cards. Five community cards. One wild ride. 6 Card PLO strategy (that’s 6 Card Omaha, for the uninitiated) takes the basic Pot Limit Omaha strategy and turns the chaos up to eleven. You’ll see more action, more all-ins, and more “how did that just happen?” moments than in any other variant.
So why should you care? Easy. 6 Card PLO is the future for anyone bored of Hold’em, fed up with PLO4, or just looking for a game where even the pros sometimes look confused. It’s a game for action junkies and deep thinkers alike—and if you want to learn it before the masses, now is the perfect time.(Still unsure how it all works? We’ve got a 6 Card Omaha overview made just for you.)
PLO6 vs. PLO4 and PLO5: What’s Actually Different?
You’ve probably played PLO4, or maybe you’ve dipped your toes into PLO5. But PLO6? It’s a whole different universe.
- Six hole cards instead of four or five.
- Exponentially more hand combos.
- Monster hands are everywhere.
- Variance that makes your old swings look like a gentle breeze.
In PLO4, you’re thrilled to make the nuts. In PLO6, you need to make the nuts with backup. In PLO4, you might be drawing to the second-nut flush and feel okay. In PLO6, you’re just burning money if you try that.
And the action? You’ll see three, four, even five-way pots with more draws than a kindergarten art class. You can’t get away with old-school PLO4 tactics. You need a new approach, new patience, and a new strategy toolkit.
The Basic 6 Card PLO Strategy (No, You Can’t Use All Six Cards)
Okay, time for the PLO6 rules part (don’t worry, I’ll keep it short and sweet):
- You get six hole cards. Deal them out, face down.
- Community cards: Five, dealt over three rounds (flop/turn/river).
- You MUST use exactly two of your hole cards and exactly three board cards—no more, no less—to make your hand.
- Betting is always pot limit (see below).
- Standard hand rankings apply. Royal flush is best, then straight flush, quads, full house, etc.
A few common mistakes to avoid:
- No, you can’t use three hole cards to make a hand.
- Yes, you have to use two, even if you’re holding the ace of every suit.
- No, you can’t make a five-card hand using just the board.
Still confused? Head over to PLO Mastermind, the best 6 Card Omaha Strategy training site on the market.
How Betting Works in PLO6 (Pot Limit, Always)
Let’s talk about betting. In PLO6, pot limit means the biggest bet or raise you can make is the size of the pot—never more. (If you’re used to No Limit, this keeps things slightly saner. Slightly.)
How to size your bets:
- Preflop, the pot is just the sum of the blinds plus any calls.
- To raise the pot, add up what’s already in there, your call, and that’s your raise.
- Don’t worry: most online sites do the math for you.
You’ll see a lot of pot-sized bets in PLO6, especially preflop and on the flop. The action gets big, fast.
For a full breakdown (with examples that don’t make your brain hurt), check our PLO Betting Rules Guide.
Hand Rankings in 6 Card Omaha (Yes, Flushes Still Beat Straights)
Hand rankings are the same as in Hold’em and regular Omaha. But don’t get lazy—the hands that win at showdown are much stronger in PLO6. Think of it this way: with six cards in your hand, somebody always has a monster.
- The nuts change fast. What’s best on the flop might be third-best by the river.
- Flushes and boats are everywhere. Don’t fall in love with two pair or even a small straight.
- Blockers and redraws matter. The more outs, the better.
How to Actually Play a Hand of PLO6 (Step-by-Step)
Let’s walk through a typical hand, because reading the 6 Card Omaha strategy is fine, but seeing it in action is better.
- Preflop: Each player gets six hole cards. The player to the left of the big blind acts first. You can fold, call, or raise (up to the pot).
- Flop: Three community cards are dealt face up. Another round of betting, starting with the first active player left of the button.
- Turn: One more community card (now four on board). More betting.
- River: Fifth and final community card. Final round of betting.
- Showdown: If there’s a call, the remaining players reveal their hands. You must use exactly two of your six hole cards and three from the board to make your best five-card hand.
Check out our PLO6 Calculator to quickly learn for yourself what type of hands are winners, and which ones are losers.
Why PLO6 is a Bankroll Wrecker (and How to Survive)
Let’s be brutally honest: PLO6 will test your sanity and your bankroll. The variance is savage. Pots get huge, and so do the swings. One minute you’re stacking chips, the next you’re wondering where your roll went.
Keys to survival:
- Bankroll management is even more important than in Hold’em or PLO4. For real. You need 100+ buy-ins for your stake. No, this isn’t a typo.
- Tilt control. If you can’t handle losing with the nuts (because someone had a redraw), you’re going to hate PLO6.
- Session reviews. Look back at your biggest pots. Did you really have the equity, or were you just gambling?
Want more? Best Pot Limit Omaha Bankroll Management Strategies and Master Pot Limit Omaha Variance have everything you need to keep yourself in the game.
PLO6 Starting Hands: What’s Actually Playable?
Here’s where most new players go spew-mode: starting hands matter more than ever. With six cards, you have endless options, but most are junk.What you want:
- Double-suited, connected hands.
- Nut potential. Ace-high suits, high cards that work together.
- No danglers. If a card doesn’t connect to the rest, it’s dead weight.
What you don’t want:
- Three pairs (unless they’re all high).
- Disconnected garbage (7-4-3-2-2-9).
- Hands with no nut flush potential.
Example:
A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ 9♠ (double-suited, straight potential) = Premium
K♥ Q♥ 8♣ 7♦ 4♠ 2♣ (disconnected, no flush) = Absolute Trash
Essential PLO6 Strategy Tips (From Someone Who’s Been There)
Enough theory. Here’s what actually works at the tables:
- Play tight preflop. You’ll be tempted to see every flop. Don’t.
- Position is everything. The later you act, the better your decisions.
- Value bet hard with the nuts. Don’t slowplay. There are too many draws out there.
- Don’t chase weak draws. Chasing the second or third nuts is a recipe for disaster.
- Have redraws. If you make the nuts, make sure you can improve further if somebody catches up.
Want advanced tactics? Our 6 Card Omaha Strategy section is loaded with actionable advice.
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PLO6 Tools and Resources: Don’t Go In Blind
You can’t “feel” your way through PLO6. The math is too complex. That’s why you need tools.
- Calculators:
Use our PLO Odds Calculator to run hands after every session. - Solvers:
They exist for PLO6, but they’re slow and resource-heavy (still, worth it for serious study). - Training:
The PLO Mastermind 10-Week Transformation Course is the gold standard if you’re serious about moving up. - HUDs:
Track leaks and tendencies—see our Tools and HUDs for the best options. I can highly recommend DriveHUD2, which combines tracking possibilities and the best HUD overlay on the market.
A little time spent studying each week pays off way more than just mindlessly grinding hands.
Mindset for PLO6: Staying Sane When the Cards Go Crazy
You will get unlucky. You will get coolered. You will want to break your mouse. That’s PLO6. The only way to survive is with a strong mental game.
- Accept the swings. They’re part of the game, not a sign of bad luck.
- Don’t tilt. Walk away when you feel your blood pressure rising.
- Focus on process, not results. If you made the right play, that’s a win—even if the pot slid the other way.
Need a mental reset? Our Mastering Mindfulness in Poker and Building Mental Resilience in Poker are must-reads.
Where to Play PLO6 Online (and What to Watch Out For)
The good news: PLO6 is showing up at more online poker sites every year. PokerStars and GGPoker both run regular PLO6 games. Some apps and home game platforms also spread it.
- Table selection is key. Look for soft games, avoid reg-fests.
- Start small. Seriously. The swings are real.
- Rakeback matters. Every percentage point helps your bottom line.
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Spin & Gos with up to 12,000x your Buy-in
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Building Real Skill: Using the Calculator to Train Your Omaha Brain
This is where you separate yourself from the field. Don’t just use the calculator for answers—use it to train your intuition.
- Guess your equity before hitting calculate.
- Review your biggest pots after every session.
- Spot patterns (e.g., “Wow, I’m always behind with these weak flush draws”).
- Study multiway spots. PLO6 is full of them. See our Mastering PLO Multiway Pots for breakdowns.
The more you use the tools, the more your “gut” will actually be right—because you’ve put in the work.
Advanced Tips: Getting the Most Out of Your PLO6 Calculator
- Use dead cards when reviewing live hands for more accurate results.
- Multiway equity splits are crucial—don’t just look at heads-up numbers.
- Review hands with friends or coaches. Two brains > one.
The Future of Omaha Tools: What’s Next for PLO6 Calculators?
Omaha tech is improving fast. AI, mobile apps, and lightning-fast simulations are coming. PLO365 is always scouting the best new resources—so you can stay ahead of the curve and keep crushing.
Conclusion: Why PLO6 is Worth the Ride (If You’re Ready)
PLO6 is wild, unpredictable, and, honestly, sometimes a little ridiculous. But if you love action, big pots, and the thrill of out-thinking your opponents, it’s the most fun you can have with a deck of cards. Remember: the swings are huge, but so is the potential for growth. If you’re ready to embrace the chaos and actually learn the game, PLO365 will be your guide.
Key Takeaways
- Six hole cards, use two. Always.
- Hand strengths are off the charts. Don’t get attached to weak hands.
- Pot-limit betting. Keeps the action big but manageable.
- Bankroll management is critical. 100+ buy-ins recommended.
- Use calculators and training tools to outpace the field.
- Mindset matters. Swings are part of the deal.
- Start at low stakes and climb as you build confidence.
FAQs
Six hole cards, five community cards. Use exactly two from your hand and three from the board. Betting is pot-limit.
No. Only two from your hand, three from the board. No exceptions.
Pot-limit only. The biggest bet/raise you can make is the size of the pot at that moment.
Double-suited, connected high cards (think A-K-Q-J-T-9 double-suited).
Both. The swings are massive, but skill wins long-term—if you survive the variance.
Bankroll management and tilt control. Master Pot Limit Omaha Variance breaks it down.
Yes. Try our PLO Odds Calculator and see Tools and HUDs.
Playing weak, uncoordinated hands and overvaluing non-nut draws.
Winning hands are much stronger. Don’t expect two pair or even low straights to hold up.
It’s fun, but brutal. New players should start with PLO4 or PLO5, then graduate to PLO6.
If you’re ready for the wildest game in poker, PLO6 is waiting. Stick with PLO365: we’ll help you survive the swings, outthink the field, and even enjoy the madness.
