| While no one believes that hold’em will lose its top spot on the poker games popularity chart any time soon, PLO remains a staple of the rotation and games have been spreading at cardrooms in the United States like wildfire. Anybody who appreciates a fast-paced action game will be drawn to PLO, which makes it one of the most profitable games you can pick in the casino, and also one of the most dangerous for your bankroll. That’s where Joseph Landers comes in. Better known to his opponents as ‘Cincy Joe,’ Landers has been grinding away in the poker world for more than a decade. While he initially relied on natural card sense and talent, Landers slowly crafted his game over the years, plugging leaks and finding new exploits to become one of the most consistent winners in any game he sits down in. But while most players frustratingly bash away in no-limit hold’em only to find themselves bleeding chips and bemoaning their luck, Joe has found his way to success in the flourishing game of PLO. In fact, his method has been so effective that he decided to share all his tips and secrets in an innovative new strategy guide. Card Player spoke with Landers to learn more about Cincy Joe’s PLO Book, now available for purchase on Amazon. Card Player: Most players gravitate to hold’em and then never branch out. How did you get started in PLO? Joseph Landers: I started playing semi-professionally in 2010 before making the switch to full-time pro. Like a lot of players, I had plenty of ups and downs to start as I figured things out. I struggled with both tilt and bankroll management, which are obviously huge pitfalls for players who want to move up in stakes, or even turn a steady profit. After a few years, I found myself drawn to PLO. There was a $5-$5 game that consistently ran at the casino in downtown Cincinnati, and I went to work. I put in thousands of hours there, but it didn’t take nearly that long to discover that PLO was the game for me. While the overall swings were often bigger than in no-limit, my game was so airtight that any downswings were few and far between. CP: What kind of work did you do to improve your game? JL: I began with the experts, of course. I read all of the big-name books, and practically any PLO book I could find. I also signed up for a few online training sites and even got some private coaching, which was very valuable to start, learning a lot from guys like Jonathan Little. But the biggest teacher was experience. CP: What can readers expect from Cincy Joe’s PLO Book? JL: I can guarantee that readers won’t be disappointed, that’s for sure. The book is not some math-heavy, hard-to-understand breakdown of PLO. I wanted it to be easily digestible for everyone, not just those who spend all day memorizing hand charts and looking at solver spots. Yes, the book goes over preflop hand selection. You’ll learn not only how to play big starting hands like pocket aces, but also rundowns, double paired hands, and more. Post-flop play is also critical. Do you control the size of the pot, or bloat it to get stacks in later? How do you play your draws, and when are your draws likely to be ahead? When do you need to get tricky and mix up your play, and when are you better off playing more straightforwardly? The book goes over all these spots and more, but I designed it so it won’t take you very long to read or apply to your own game. It’s the perfect guide for PLO players who want to level up, or even beginners who haven’t played a hand yet. Contact Joseph Landers (TheCincyJoe@gmail.com) for private coaching or an autographed copy of the book. Cincy Joe’s PLO Book is now available on Amazon.
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