Tournament Tips and Tricks for Playing From the Blinds in PLO Tournaments Americas Cardroom March 14, 2025 By focusing on strong, coordinated hands, playing from the blinds can become a profitable aspect of your gamePlaying from the blinds in Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) tournaments can be challenging, as defending these positions often leads to tricky post-flop decisions. Since PLO is a game of strong drawing hands and big pots, blind play requires discipline and strategy to avoid unnecessary losses while maximizing profitable spots. One key approach is to be selective when defending the blinds. Unlike No-Limit Hold’em, where defending with marginal hands can sometimes be justified, PLO requires stronger holdings. Hands with connected cards, suited combinations, and potential nut draws are preferable. Avoid weak, uncoordinated hands that can leave you in difficult post-flop situations.Post-flop play from the blinds often involves navigating multi-way pots. Since PLO hands are closely matched in equity, position becomes even more important.Playing aggressively with strong draws and nut potential hands can help dictate the action rather than leaving decisions to your opponents. If the board favors your range, leading out with a bet can put pressure on late-position players who might otherwise control the hand.Understanding the power of blockers is another essential skill. If you hold key cards that reduce the likelihood of your opponents having the nuts, you can turn this into a strategic advantage. This is particularly useful when considering semi-bluffing or making key river decisions.Pot control is also crucial when playing out of position. While PLO encourages aggressive play, overcommitting with a marginal hand can lead to costly mistakes. Checking to induce bets or keeping the pot manageable with drawing hands can help minimize risk while still allowing for profitable opportunities.Adapting to different stack sizes is also important. Short stacks should be more selective, looking for opportunities to push equity edges, while deep stacks can play more speculative hands if the situation allows.