How to Play PLO6 Poker: 6-Card Pot-Limit Omaha Rules & Hand Rankings
PLO6 is the most action-packed version of Pot-Limit Omaha, giving each player six hole cards instead of four. With more cards, more draws, and more potential combinations, the pots get bigger—and so does the fun. If you’re already familiar with PLO4 or PLO5, this guide will show you exactly how PLO6 works, from rules and hand rankings to betting structure and game flow.
PLO6 (6-Card Pot-Limit Omaha) is a community card poker game where each player is dealt six private cards. Just like in other Omaha formats, players must use exactly two of their hole cards and three community cards to make the best five-card poker hand.
It is played with pot-limit betting, meaning your maximum bet or raise is the size of the pot at that time.
More hole cards mean more combinations, stronger hands, and significantly more equity shifts per street.
Basic Rules of PLO6
Game Format
Each player is dealt 6 hole cards
5 community cards are dealt (flop, turn, river)
Players must use exactly 2 hole cards and exactly 3 community cards
Pot-limit betting is used in all rounds
The best high hand wins the pot (no split unless two or more players have the exact same hand or playing a Hi/Lo variant)
How a Hand of PLO6 Plays Out
1. The blinds are posted. The player left of the dealer (button) puts the small blind (SB) and the player left of the small blind puts big blind (BB)
2. Pre-flop: All players are dealt six hole cards each, one at a time, starting with the small blind and moving clockwise.
3. After the cards are dealt, the first betting round begins with the player left of the big blind. If one of the players choose to bet, the remaining players can choose to call, raise or fold.
4. Flop: The first three community cards are dealt. From here players can start building their best five card hands using exactly two cards from the hand and three cards from the board.
5. Second betting round. After the flop is dealt it´s time for the second betting round. When the betting is finished, we move on to the turn.
6. Turn: The fourth community card is dealt, the players now have four cards on the board to use to build their best five card hand, but still need to use exactly two cards from the hand and three cards from the board.
7. Third betting round. When the turn is dealt it´s time for another betting round. It follows the same procedure as the earlier betting rounds.
8. River: Fifth and final community card is dealt, players now know the exact best hand they could build using two cards from their hand and three cards from the board.
9. Final betting round. After the river is dealt it´s time for the final betting round. Still following the same procedure as before.
10. Showdown: When the betting round is over, all remaining players (the players that called the last bet) reveal their hands and the best five-card hand wins. In the example below the player to the right wins the pot with a straight nine to king, using K, J, 9 from the board and Q, 10 from the hand.
Hand Rankings in PLO6
6-Card Pot Limit Omaha uses standard poker hand rankings for high hands. The difference is the potential strength of hands increases due to six hole cards.
Stronger Hands Are Common
With six hole cards to choose from, you’re more likely to make:
Nut flushes
Broadway straights
Full houses and quads
Combo hands with redraws
Valid Hand Example
Hole cards:A♥A♦K♥K♦Q♣9♦
Board:10♦J♦3♣4♦7♠
Valid combo:A♦K♦+4♦10♦J♦= Ace-High Flush
Invalid Hand Example
Using only one hole card (e.g. justA♦)
Using three or more hole cards
Using four board cards
Pot-Limit Betting in PLO6
How Pot-Limit Works
The maximum bet allowed is equal to the size of the pot
Pot-limit games control volatility while keeping action high
With more strong draws in PLO6, bet sizes can increase quickly
Pot-Sizing Example
Let’s say the pot is $50 and it’s your turn to act. The maximum amount you’re allowed to bet is the size of the pot, in this example, $50.
When there has already been betting before you, the calculation changes slightly.
Imagine again that the pot is $50. The first player to act, “Player A,” can bet up to $50. “Player B” calls that $50. Now it’s your turn and you want to make a pot-sized bet.
The simplest way to figure it out is:
Take the last bet/call/raise × 3, then add the rest of the money already in the pot.
In this scenario
3 × Player B’s call of $50 = $150
+ $50 (Player A’s original bet)
+ $50 (the pot before betting)
= $250 as your maximum bet.
For a different example with the same starting pot of $50
Player A bets $25 and Player B raises to $75.
Your pot-sized bet would be:
3 × Player B’s raise of $75 = $225
+ $25 (Player A’s initial bet)
+ $50 (the pot before betting)
= $300.
It can feel a bit tricky when you’re new to Pot-Limit games, but once you understand this formula, it becomes straightforward.
Betting Rounds
Pre-flop
Flop
Turn
River
Each street includes one round of pot-limit betting
Differences Between PLO6 and Other Omaha Games
Compared to PLO4
More outs and stronger hands
Pre-flop equity runs closer
Two pair and bottom set are rarely good at showdown
Compared to PLO5
More multi-way pots and redraws
Higher variance
Better hands needed to commit chips on later streets
Hand Selection Tightens
Drawing hands need redraws
Middle strength made hands are often behind
Top set alone is rarely enough without blockers or redraws
Where to Play PLO6 Online
Real Money Sites
GGPoker – One of the few major sites offering PLO6 cash games
PokerStars – Occasionally features PLO6 in special events
Partypoker – Experimental or limited PLO6 in higher-stakes lobbies
PPPoker / PokerBros – Private clubs often offer PLO6 formats
CoinPoker – Crypto-based tables with some PLO6 variants
Play Money Options
PokerStars Play – Not always available
Replay Poker – Occasionally includes PLO6 in home club rotations
Club apps – Custom home games may include PLO6 tables
Final Takeaway
PLO6 brings maximum action to the Omaha family. With six hole cards and pot-limit betting, the game rewards players who can manage variance, read deep combinations, and understand hand construction. If you’re comfortable with PLO4 or PLO5, adding two more cards will test your instincts and make every pot more dynamic.
FAQs: PLO6 Poker Rules
How many hole cards do you get in PLO6?
Each player receives six hole cards.
Do I still use only two hole cards?
Yes. Even with six hole cards, you must use exactly two with exactly three board cards.
Is PLO6 high-only?
Yes. PLO6 is typically played as a high-hand game. PLO6 Hi/Lo does exist in some custom formats.
Is PLO6 more aggressive than PLO4?
Yes. More draws, deeper stacks, and wider ranges lead to more aggressive pots and higher variance.
Can I play PLO6 on mobile apps?
Yes. Apps like GGPoker, PPPoker, and PokerBros support PLO6 in real money or club formats.
