Strong starting hands in PLO are those that are well-connected, double-suited, and contain high-card strength. Hands with four coordinated cards, such as double-suited high pairs with strong side cards or connected Broadway cards, have higher playability and potential for nut hands. Suited aces increase the chances of making the nut flush, while connected cards improve the ability to hit strong straights. Hands that avoid unnecessary gaps and have multiple ways to improve post-flop are generally the most profitable.