Why Board Texture Matters in PLO
In PLO, every player holds 4 cards -- creating 6 two-card combos. That means someone is much more likely to have connected with the board. Reading board texture tells you how many draws and made hands are possible, which drives every decision.
Suit Texture
Monotone: All cards same suit. Flush is already possible. Extremely wet board.
Two-Tone: Two cards share a suit. Flush draws are live. Most common texture.
Rainbow: All different suits. No flush draws possible. Driest suit texture.
Connectedness
Connected: Cards are close in rank (within 1-2 gaps). Many straight draws available.
Semi-Connected: Some cards are close, but gaps exist. Fewer straight combos.
Disconnected: Large gaps between ranks. Very few straight draws possible.
Wet vs Dry
Wet: Many draws possible -- flush draws, straight draws, or both. Players connect often.
Dry: Few draws available -- rainbow, disconnected, possibly paired. Fewer connections.
Medium: Some draw potential but not overwhelming.
PLO Key Insight: On wet boards, non-nut hands are dangerous because PLO players have so many combos. On dry boards, made hands like top pair can have more value since fewer draws threaten you.
Paired Boards
When the board pairs, full houses become possible. In PLO this is critical -- someone almost always has the full house when the board pairs and significant action occurs.
Keyboard Shortcuts
1-4 = Select answer Space / Enter = Next board