Top 5 Mistakes Beginners Make in PLO5 Poker

PLO5 poker presents unique challenges that can trip up even experienced players. Vasily Falco, a renowned poker expert, shares the top five mistakes beginners make and how to avoid them.

Ignoring the Unique Features of PLO5

The first mistake is ignoring the unique features of PLO5, which requires evaluating all five cards. Double-suited hands are played more often than single-suited hands. For example, non-paired hands with two suits are played 25% of the time, while single-suited hands are played only 7% of the time. This difference is even more pronounced for paired hands, where double-suited hands are played 23% of the time compared to 14% for single-suited hands.

Overplaying Pocket Aces Pre-Flop

The second mistake is overplaying pocket aces pre-flop. Seeing two aces, players often overestimate their hand's strength and end up in costly situations. For instance, if you open with pocket aces from an early position and get a call from the button and a squeeze from the small blind, the solver will fold 5.6% of hands and call with 18.5%.

Not Folding to a 3-Bet

The third mistake is not folding to a 3-bet. Many players call a 3-bet from the middle position after opening from the UTG, thinking the equity is close. However, the computer folds 22.5% of hands, including strong-looking ones with two suits or well-connected cards. Evaluating the strength of your hand relative to the opponent's range is crucial. If the opponent plays adequately pre-flop, their 3-bet range will be narrow, containing many strong hands that block yours.

Overestimating Hand Strength

The fourth mistake is overestimating the strength of one's hand. Players often find themselves in dominated situations post-flop. For example, if you open from UTG and call a 3-bet, and your opponent bets on the flop, you might think your equity is good for going all-in with a top pair, OESD, and a second nut flush draw. In reality, against a hand like that, you only have 33% equity. In narrow ranges, such as UTG vs. MP, your opponent will have many suited and connected aces, making it risky to play big pots post-flop with unsuitable hands.

Overplaying Hands in Multi-Way Pots

The fifth mistake is overplaying hands in multi-way pots. The more players in the pot, the more carefully you should select your hands. For instance, if you open from the cutoff and get calls from the button and big blind, you should only continue with a bet 13% of the time on such a board texture. Both opponent ranges fit the board tightly. Sending your entire range to bet leaves your check range empty. Some strong hands should be checked or check-called to see a safe turn and increase the equity of your hand. Another option is a check-raise. You are out of position against the button and want to fully realize your equity. To do this, you need to maximize the SPR, and ideally, go all-in. The frequency of betting here is extremely low.