PLO Tourneys, worth learning?

ventrolloquist said:

So obviously PLO variance is insane, and MTT variance is also high... So logically the combination of PLO and MTT should mean very wild swings.

So my question to those who have played PLO tourneys; do you find players tend to stick to lower variance play styles to save their chips? Is it very different from cash games or are the swings basically the same?

(Let's ignore the lowest stakes where fish call with anything)

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DS3 said:

Unbustable makes a great point above -

"....P.L.O. will give you a general better understanding of the game of poker"

Absolutely agree. Like most I came to PLO later that Hold'em but it opened my eyes very quickly. To play with competence, you need to be patient and watch the hand unfold. In a full ring game over half the cards are out and dealt and people are sat with a much greater variety of hands.

You learn very quickly to see the possible strength of opponents hands, the potential straight, flush or full house and you therefore play in a measured manner knowing full well your strong hand is seldom the absolute nuts. I find this a real benefit when I revert to Hold'em as I quickly gauge the strongest hands that might be against me, without giving too much thought.

So, even if simply regarding PLO as a great learning tool, I'd recommend participating in the game at whatever level you feel comfortable with.

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Unbustable said:

P.L.O. will give you a general better understanding of the game of poker. Odds and percentages the lengths at which people will chase should help discipline your game up real quick.

Free tip you might not need or know.. I base my game off opportune timing in opportune spots but in p.l.o. I learned it's best not to overplay any hand that won't remain the nuts until the river until you reach it. Even when in most situations you must defend and bet the threats against you out there is always the ones who won't budge and have lady luck behind them. Play it how you feel it pre but tighten up after and be extra patient in mtt. Watch how fast other drop around you and take notice how the ones who remain earned theirs..

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