Beat pot-limit Omaha Sit & Go’s (part 3): PLO bubbles and beyond

The bubble is the make-or-break point of a Sit & Go, as you will have to take some calculated gambles here. Of course, the chances of an opponent waking up with a monster are significantly lower when you get short-handed, allowing you more opportunities to get creative and put them to the test.

Play draws aggressively

As you should be playing to win, rather than just to cash, one way to increase your aggression factor is by playing your big draws aggressively. For example, you have called a raise in position against one opponent while holding 6c-7c-9h-10h and the flop comes 8h-5h-Jc. Even if your opponent has a hand like Ad-Ac-Jd-Jc or Kd-Kc-Jd-Jc, holding a flush draw with a big wrap (in which at least three different cards can complete your straight) makes you a 60/40 favourite over someone holding top set. Don’t be afraid to come over the top with your draws, as you’re giving yourself two ways to win.

The bubble

The biggest difference between hold’em and Omaha Sit & Go’s is the betting structure, as it’s very difficult to get it all-in preflop and a pot-sized raise often gives your opponents the correct odds to call. Not only does this mean independent chip modelling (ICM) becomes less relevant, it also translates to more flops in the later stages. Awareness of stack sizes and table dynamics is critical at this point. You can be more liberal with your raises if you are not in a hand with the short-stack, as you can put more pressure on the other players who may be looking to fold their way into the money. Conversely, if a medium stack comes out firing pot-sized bets when there is a short-stack present, you need to be holding something if you want to go to war with them.

Endgame

After the bubble bursts continue to push your position. Controlling pot size is the key to success in PLO – it is you and not your opponent who should be deciding whether to play a large or small pot. This is what makes position such a key factor in PLO, and you should be playing your button aggressively and forcing other players into making mistakes out of position.