Tournament Starting Hand Selection in PLO Tournaments David Parker URL has been copied successfully! Understanding when to take calculated risks allows you to maximize profit Starting hand selection in Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) tournaments is one of the most important aspects of success. Because every player receives four hole cards instead of two, hand strength changes dramatically before and after the flop. This means raw power alone isn’t enough — players must think about how their cards work together and what potential they hold for multiple winning combinations. The goal is to play hands that connect well and can make the nuts rather than marginal draws. Hands with coordinated suits and connected ranks often perform best. Double-suited hands such as A♠K♠J♦10♦ or Q♥J♥10♣9♣ give players strong possibilities for both flushes and straights. These hands not only create multiple routes to winning but also have solid equity against most opponents’ holdings. On the other hand, disjointed or “rainbow” hands like A♣9♦6♥2♠ rarely develop well and often leave players with second-best hands — a costly situation in PLO. Position also plays a huge role in deciding which hands to play. From early position, it’s better to focus on premium starting hands that can stand pressure after the flop. Players in later positions can loosen up slightly, taking advantage of the information gained from earlier actions. Having position allows for better pot control and more effective bluffing opportunities, both key factors in deep-stacked tournament play. Stack size and table dynamics influence starting hand selection, too. Deep stacks allow for more speculative hands, since there’s room to maneuver post-flop. Shorter stacks require tighter, more disciplined play, focusing on hands that can win big pots or double up efficiently. Observing how aggressive or passive opponents are helps fine-tune which hands to open or fold.