Crypto Poker 5 Card PLO Game: Rules, Hands Ranks & Tips for Players

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Crypto Poker 5 Card PLO Game: Rules, Hands Ranks & Tips for Players

 
Most people know poker and crypto poker games as a two-card game – but what happens when you hold five cards?
5 Card PLO (Pot Limit Omaha) is poker’s newest thrill ride, growing rapidly in popularity online and in major tournaments like the WSOP. With more cards comes more action, bigger pots, and deeper strategy.

What is 5 Card PLO?

Five-card PLO has exploded onto the poker scene in recent years. Players receive five-hole cards instead of the traditional two, creating more strategic possibilities and massive pots. While the two-card rule remains the same – you must use precisely two cards from your hand with three community cards – having five cards to choose from opens up a whole new world of possibilities.

The game has gained serious traction in high-stakes circles and major tournaments, where players are drawn to its complex decision-making and massive potential for action. Most games run 6-handed for the perfect balance of skill and excitement, though you’ll find everything from heads-up battles to full-ring games in the poker lobby.

PLO5 vs Classic Texas Hold’em: What’s the Difference?

Both games use the same poker hand rankings, but that’s where the similarities end. Here’s what makes PLO5 unique:
More Cards to Play: In Texas Hold’em, you get two cards. In PLO5, you get five cards – though you can only use two of them. This means more ways to make hands and more challenging decisions about which cards to use.
Bigger Hands are Common: With five cards in everyone’s hand, you’ll see monster hands almost every round. Those big pocket pairs that dominate Hold’em? In PLO5, you’ll need much more to win.
Betting Has Limits: Unlike Hold’em, where you can push all your chips anytime, PLO5 only lets you bet what’s in the pot. This adds strategy to your bet sizing and creates more interesting decisions.

How to Play PLO5 Poker

Betting Round 1: Preflop

First, everyone gets five cards that only they can see. Two players must put in forced bets (the small and big blinds) to start the action. Then, going clockwise, each player decides to fold their cards, match the big blind (call), or raise the bet - but remember, you can't raise more than what's in the pot!

Betting Round 2: Flop

The dealer puts three cards face-up on the table for everyone to share. Starting with the first player left of the dealer button, everyone gets a chance to check (pass) or bet. If someone bets, others must either call that bet, raise it, or fold their hand.

Betting Round 3: Turn

A fourth shared card is placed in the middle. Just like before, players take turns deciding to check or bet. You need to match, raise, or fold if someone bets. The pot often gets bigger here as players figure out how strong their hands are.

Betting Round 4: River

The dealer puts out the fifth and final shared card. One last time, players get to check or bet. This is your last chance to act before everyone shows their cards. Remember - when making your final hand, you'll need to use exactly two of your five private cards plus three of these shared cards.

How to Win

Show a Stronger PLO5 Combination

When players stay in until the end of a hand, everyone shows their cards to see who wins. You'll make your best five-card hand using exactly two of your private cards and three of the shared cards on the table. Even though you have five cards to choose from, the hand rankings are just like regular poker - a straight still beats three-of-a-kind, a flush still beats a straight, and so on.

Bet and Force Opponents to Fold

You don't always need the best hand to win! Sometimes, intelligent betting can convince other players to fold stronger hands than yours—as long as they believe your story. Since you can only bet up to what's in the pot, you'll need to think carefully about how much to bet. Remember - betting too much might scare everyone away while betting too little might not convince anyone to fold.

5 Card PLO Game Hand Rankings.

1. Royal Flush (A♦ K♦ Q♦ J♦ T♦)
The best hand possible, a royal flush consists of A, K, Q, J, and 10, all of the same suit.

2. Straight Flush (T♥ 9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥)
Also very rare is a straight flush, which consists of any straight with the same suit.

3. Four-of-a-Kind (J♦ J♣ J♠ J♥ K♦)
Four of a kind, or 'quads,' consist of four cards of equal value and a side card.

4. Full House (A♥ A♣ A♦ 9♠ 9♣)
A house has three cards of one value and two cards of another.

5. Flush (A♠ J♠ 8♠ 4♠ 3♠)
A flush is a hand with all the cards of the same suit.

6. Straight (9♥ 8♠ 7♣ 6♦ 5♣)
A straight has five consecutive cards of value that are not all in the same suit.

7. Three-of-a-Kind (7♠ 7♦ 7♣ K♦ Q♣)
Also known as 'trips,' three of a kind consist of three cards of the same value and two side cards of different values.

8. Two-Pair (9♣ 9♦ 6♣ 6♠ Q♥)
Two pairs consist of two cards of equal value, another two cards of equal value, and one extra card.

9. One-Pair (A♦ A♥ K♠ 9♦ 4♥)
One pair consists of two cards of the same value and three extra cards.

10. High Card (A♠ J♦ 8♣ 6♠ 2♥)
A high card is when you have five cards that do not interact with each other to make any of the above hands.

5 Card PLO Strategy: Improve Your Game

Want to master the 5-Card PLO strategy? Here’s what to focus on:

• Approach Bluffing Carefully: With five cards in everyone’s hand, players make strong hands more often. Be careful when you bet!
  
• Position Yourself for Success: Late position gives you more information and control. Study the position play guide to understand how table position affects your decisions.
  
• Be Mindful of Your Blockers: Your extra hole card means more blocking possibilities. Use this guide on poker blockers as your secret weapon for better decision-making.
  
• Choose the Best Starting Hands: Connected and suited cards that work together gain tremendous value in PLO5. Focus on hands that can make multiple strong combinations, and learn about poker equity to improve your gameplay.
  

Remember, 5 Card PLO rewards patient players who think ahead. The extra card means more possibilities, but it also means you need to consider what hands your opponents carefully could have. Take time learning these concepts – this deeper strategy makes PLO5 an exciting game.

What is 5-card PLO poker?

A Pot Limit Omaha variant where you get five hole cards instead of four, creating more possible combinations.

How does a 5-card PLO differ from a regular PLO?

You receive five hole cards instead of four, but you still must use precisely two to make your hand.

What makes a good starting hand in a 5-card PLO?

Connected, suited cards that combine to make multiple strong hands are best.

Is a 5-card PLO harder than a regular PLO Poker Game?

Yes, it’s more challenging. That extra card means more combinations to think about and more difficult decisions. But don’t let that scare you – the challenge is what makes it exciting!