Checking in PLO

One of the overlooked ploys to controlling pot size in pot limit omaha (or any pot limit game for that matter) is checking. Now this is a bit contrary to a "raise or fold" style of play. I wouldn't recommend habitually checking in a pot limit game and if you are inexperienced with pot limit games, I wouldn't check too often. A check can be a useful tool when the pots are small and heads up. Because the size of the pot can grow exponentially, you may prefer to check and call rather than bet out.

Lets say you have a good draw such as a gut shot straight draw and flush draw to go along with a pair. While your hand is strong, you don't want to get priced out in a tournament situation. Lets say blinds are 100-200, you have 3,500 in chips and the pot size is 500. If you bet 300, your opponent could raise you to as much as 1,400. Essentially, you now have to commit to the pot or fold. If you get it all in, you can't be a huge underdog (unless you are up against better draws) but if you fold, you have lost your bet.

However, if you choose to check in this situation, the most you would have to pay to see the next card is 500. If you are in a situation where you feel your hand is beat, but want to draw cheaply, a check call may be right in some situations. Betting out may raise the price of the draw to a level that is too high for your stack and then you either fold or play a huge pot where you are behind. A check call is just another tool one can add to their bag of tricks in a pot limit game.

Did this guy know we were playing razz???

I just don't get what this guy was thinking on this hand. Gotta love the razz donkeys. If you can't figure it out, I'm in Seat 2. This one doesn't even require any comments from me. It is just that bad.

Seat 1: (1,485)
Seat 2: (1,515)
Seat 1 antes 5
Seat 2 antes 5
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [9s]
Dealt to Seat 2 [4h 5h] [9d]
Seat 1 is high with [9s]
Seat 1 completes it to 30
Seat 2 calls 30
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [9s] [Js]
Dealt to Seat 2 [4h 5h 9d] [7h]
Seat 2 bets 30
Seat 1 raises to 60
Seat 2 calls 30
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [9s Js] [Td]
Dealt to Seat 2 [4h 5h 9d 7h] [6c]
Seat 2 bets 60
Seat 1 raises to 120
Seat 2 raises to 180
Seat 1 raises to 240
Seat 2 calls 60
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [9s Js Td] [Jh]
Dealt to Seat 2 [4h 5h 9d 7h 6c] [As]
Seat 2 bets 60
Seat 1 raises to 120
Seat 2 raises to 180
Seat 1 raises to 240
Seat 2 calls 60
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [4h 5h 9d 7h 6c As] [Kd]
Seat 2 bets 60
Seat 1 raises to 120
Seat 2 raises to 180
Seat 1 raises to 240
Seat 2 calls 60
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Seat 1 shows [4s Ah 9s Js Td Jh Ac] J,T,9,4,A
Seat 2 shows [Kd 5h 9d 7h 6c As 4h] 7,6,5,4,A
Seat 2 wins the pot (1,630) with 7,6,5,4,A