My PLO8 starting hand selection

[BarbarianX]

Because of lack of PLO8 literature it would be interesting to know what starting hands you play. These hands do I play:

*x=any card (of course)

EP (unraised):
AAxx
A2+3-5+x(A suited)
A346(A suited)
A356(A suited)
A456(A suited)
A23+4-6
A24+5-6
A34+5-6
2345
2346
K23+4-5(K suited)
AKK+2-5(A suited)
AQQ+2-5(A suited)
KQJT
A+ 3 cards above T(A suited)

MP (unraised):
I add
QJT9
2356
KK+ 2 cards of different rank below 5
QQ+ 2 cards of different rank below 5

LP (unraised):
I add
A3+4-5+x(A suited)
A456
2456
3456
KK+ 2 cards of different rank below 8
QQ+ 2 cards of different rank below 8

Button and SB (unraised):
I add
A4xx(A suited)
Any 4 cards above T
Any 3 cards of different rank below 6
KKxx
QQxx

I continue with raised pots in my next post

[Ironman]

I have very similar requirements.

I have two slight differences.

I don't usually play the K K (and two low cards) or Q Q (and two low cards) outside of the blinds.

But (and I understand this is sacreligious) I will play any four connected cards in an unraised pot (6 7 8 9).

So, not much difference. Neither of these types of hands happen often enough to make a dramatic difference in my winrate.

I play such a tight game that every once in awhile I like to show cards that give the impression I have loose starting requirements.

Dave

[XxPenguinxX]

Would you really not play A237 from EP if the Ace weren't suited?

[BarbarianX]

I read somewhere KK/QQ + two low were'nt good enough starting hands because those premium limit two way hands gets either counterfeited in the low or either lose in the high end to a straight or a flush or at least get freerolled from the turn and on. But I have taken them back because I think I often won with those against weak players chasing low only hands on a two low card flop.

[BarbarianX]

Probably, but that would be in objection to my theory... :P

No, I really think the hand lack of high hand quality. In my view A236 is a MUCH stronger hand. 45x flops give me an incredibly strong high draw but a 7 doesn't help A23 much. And A23 without a 6 (or a 4/5) or a suited ace is the kind of hand you get quartered with.

[BarbarianX]

Ironman, can you explain your thoughts about playing middle cards. I muck them without a second thought, but I see people playing them from time to time. I have always regarded this as a huge error, have I missed something? My main objection is that you must hit an almost perfect rainbow flop of 776 or 457 and still you're almost always playing for half the pot.

[BarbarianX]

I missed A2xx(A suited) in LP and A3xx(A suited) in Button and SB


EP (unraised):
AAxx
A2+3-5+x(A suited)
A346(A suited)
A356(A suited)
A456(A suited)
A23+4-6
A24+5-6
A34+5-6
2345
2346
K23+4-5(K suited)
AKK+2-5(A suited)
AQQ+2-5(A suited)
KQJT
A+ 3 cards above T(A suited)

MP (unraised):
I add
QJT9
2356
KK+ 2 cards of different rank below 5
QQ+ 2 cards of different rank below 5

LP (unraised):
I add
A2xx(A suited)
A3+4-5+x(A suited)
A456
2456
3456
KK+ 2 cards of different rank below 8
QQ+ 2 cards of different rank below 8

Button and SB (unraised):
I add
A3xx(A suited)
A4xx(A suited)
Any 4 cards above T
Any 3 cards of different rank below 6
KKxx
QQxx

[Ironman]

Let me preface this by saying that Buzz and I have had this conversation before and he believes that playing these middle cards is an absolute mistake. Most likely, he is right on the money with this one as well.

But, here is what I have found (and this only works in PLO8 by the way).

1. I will only limp with these hands. So, for a very small bet, I can see if I get a good fit.

2. These hands are very easy to play because when they miss, they really miss. When they hit, they really hit.

3. When I'm playing for the top half of a pot with lots of low cards, there are usually several people playing for the low end. I'm happy to build large pot size bets with 2 or 3 low players playing for a quarter of the pot while I get half.

4. When you do hit those cards, it is essential that you play it fast. You need to make any sets and two pairs think long and hard about calling pot sized bets.

I proceed with caution and dump the hand when it looks like I'm beat.

Ironman Dave

[greatwhite]

I'm curious about what you raise with. Do you ever come in with a raise in any position or do you wait until the pot has been raised. I'm new to PLO8, but have experience in both PLO and o8. I never raise in early or middle position in either of these games.

[jthegreat]

I will play any A2xx and most A3xx in LP, but aside from that, it's about the same.