Short Deck Poker: A Comprehensive Guide on Six Plus Hold ‘Em

Ever felt like traditional poker was moving slower than a river card on a critical all-in? Well, strap in, because Short Deck Poker is about to inject some nitro into your poker experience. At CoinPoker, we’re all about keeping the action flowing and the excitement at fever pitch. That’s why we’re diving deep into the world of Short Deck Poker, also known as Six Plus Hold ‘Em. It’s like regular poker, but with the boring bits cut out and the thrills turned up to eleven. Let’s explore this action-packed poker variant that’s taking the online poker world by storm.

What is Short Deck Poker?

Picture this: You’re sitting at a poker table, but instead of the usual 52-card deck, you’re playing with just 36 cards. No, the dealer hasn’t gone rogue – this is Short Deck Poker in all its glory. It’s like Texas Hold’em went on a diet and came back leaner, meaner, and ready to party.

In Short Deck Poker, they’ve kicked out all the cards from deuce to five. That’s right, they didn’t make the cut. What’s left is a high-octane game where the lowest card is a six (unless you’re using an Ace as low, but more on that poker logic later). The result? More action, bigger hands, and enough adrenaline to make even the most stoic poker face break into a grin.

Origins of the Game

Short Deck Poker didn’t just appear out of thin air like a magician’s card trick. This high-octane variant first burst onto the scene in the high-stakes cash games in poker rooms in Macau.

From those exotic beginnings, Short Deck Poker quickly caught the eye of poker pros like Phil Ivey and Tom Dwan, and recreational players alike. Why? Because it offered something different. In a world where Texas Hold’em had become as familiar as your own reflection, Short Deck Poker was a breath of fresh air.

And talk about a meteoric rise! Short Deck was eventually added to the games list of the Triton Poker Series, known for its high-stakes tournaments. Soon, the game was being played in the Series events globally – from Manila and Macau, all the way to Montenegro.

In 2019, Short Deck Poker hit the big leagues when it was added to the World Series of Poker schedule. This action-packed variant went from Macau high-roller rooms to the most prestigious poker tournament in the world faster than you can say “all-in.”

Main Differences from Traditional Poker

Now, you might be thinking, “Sure, they’ve taken out a few cards, but how different can it really be?” Here are the main differences from traditional poker games that make this a whole new thing:

• Deck Composition: We’ve already mentioned this, but it bears repeating – we’re playing with 36 cards instead of 52. The 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s have left the building.
• Hand Rankings: In Short Deck, a flush beats a full house. With fewer cards in play, flushes are harder to hit than full houses, so they are higher in the hand rankings.
• Aces Are Wild (Kind Of): In Short Deck, Aces can be high or low, and they can even substitute for a 5 in a straight. A-6-7-8-9? They are like that friend who can fit in with any crowd.
• Betting Structures: Many Short Deck games use an ante-only structure instead of blinds.
• Equities Run Closer: With fewer cards in the deck, hand equities tend to run closer together. This means more action, more all-ins, and more chances for David to take down Goliath.

These differences might seem small on paper, but at the table, they create a whole new poker ecosystem.

Rules of Short Deck Poker

Alright, let’s get down to the nitty gritty. How do you actually play this wild and wonderful game? Don’t worry, if you know your way around a Texas Hold’em table, you’re already halfway there. Here’s the lowdown:

1. The game is played with a 36-card deck (6 through Ace).
2. Each player is dealt two hole cards, just like in Texas Hold’em.
3. There’s a round of betting.
4. Three community cards are dealt (the flop).
5. Another round of betting.
6. A fourth community card is dealt (the turn).
7. More betting.
8. The final community card is dealt (the river).
9. Last round of betting.
10. Showdown (if necessary).

Sounds familiar, right? The basic structure is the same as Texas Hold’em, but remember, with the altered deck and hand rankings, the gameplay is a whole different beast.

One key difference in many Short Deck games is the use of an ante-only structure. Instead of big and small blinds, every player posts an ante before each hand – it keeps the action flowing and the pots juicy.

Oh, and here’s a curveball for you: Short Deck often uses a button blind structure. What’s that, you ask? Well, instead of the traditional big blind and small blind, every player posts an ante, and the player on the button posts a single blind. This blind is usually two to four times the ante. To call preflop, players need to complete their ante to match the blind.

Short Deck Poker Hand Rankings

Now, here’s where things get really interesting. In Short Deck Poker, the hand rankings have been reshuffled. Here’s how they stack up:

1. Royal Flush
2. Straight Flush
3. Four of a Kind
4. Flush
5. Full House
6. Straight
7. Three of a Kind
8. Two Pair
9. One Pair
10. High Card

Note that flushes beat full houses in Short Deck. Why? Well, with fewer cards in the deck, it’s actually harder to make a flush than a full house.

And remember what we said about Aces? They’re playing double duty. You can use them as the highest card (above King) or as a 5 for making straights. A-6-7-8-9 is a straight, and so is 10-J-Q-K-A.

Alternate 6+ Hold ‘Em Poker Hand Rankings

Now, just to keep you on your toes, some variations of Short Deck Poker use a slightly different ranking system. In these games, the rankings look like this:

1. Royal Flush
2. Straight Flush
3. Four of a Kind
4. Full House
5. Flush
6. Three of a Kind
7. Straight
8. Two Pair
9. One Pair
10. High Card

The main difference here is that full houses beat flushes, and three of a kind beats straights. It’s not very common in mainstream play, but it’s good to know these alternatives exist. After all, knowledge is power in poker, and we want you armed to the teeth.

How to Play Six-Plus Hold ‘Em Poker

Alright, now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into the how – as in, how to actually play this adrenaline-pumping game. Don’t worry, if you can handle Texas Hold’em, you’ve already got a head start.

1. Ante Up: In many Short Deck games, everyone posts an ante before the cards are dealt.
2. Deal: Each player gets two hole cards. Just like in Texas Hold’em, these are your secret weapons.
3. Pre-Flop Betting: First round of betting. Remember, with those lower cards missing, even medium pairs can be monsters.
4. The Flop: Three community cards are dealt.
5. Flop Betting: Another round of betting. With hand equities running closer, expect more action here than in a regular Hold’em game.
6. The Turn: Fourth community card is dealt. In Short Deck, this is where dreams are made (and sometimes shattered).
7. Turn Betting: You know the drill by now. Bet, raise, fold, or call.
8. The River: Final community card. This is it, the moment of truth.
9. River Betting: Last chance to bet.
10. Showdown: If there’s more than one player left, it’s time to show those cards. Remember the funky hand rankings!

The key to mastering Short Deck is understanding how the altered deck changes the game. Those pretty-looking suited cards? They’re not as valuable as you might think, given how hard it is to make a flush. That middle pair? It might be gold. Playing Short Deck is like learning to drive stick after years of automatic – it takes some getting used to, but once you’ve got it, you’ll feel like a pro.

Short Deck Poker Strategies

Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to level up your game. Short Deck Poker might look like Hold’em’s little brother, but it’s got some tricks up its sleeve. Here are five strategies to help you dominate the Short Deck tables:

Adjust Your Starting Hand Selection

In Short Deck, those starting hands you’ve memorized for Hold’em? Throw ’em out the window. With fewer cards in the deck, hand values shift dramatically. Suited connectors lose some of their magic, while big pairs become even more valuable.

Key takeaway: Don’t be afraid to play more pairs and high card hands. That K-10 offsuit? It’s not nearly as trashy as it would be in Hold’em.

Embrace the Variance

With hand equities running closer, you’re going to see more all-ins and more big pots. Don’t fight it; embrace it.

Key takeaway: Make sure your bankroll can handle the swings. Those big wins feel great, but be prepared for the rollercoaster.

Master Post-Flop Play

In Short Deck, the flop is where the magic happens. With fewer cards in the deck, you’re more likely to connect with the board. But remember, so are your opponents.

Key takeaway: Be prepared to play more pots post-flop, but also be ready to fold when the action tells you you’re beat.

Recalibrate Your Odds Calculation

With fewer cards in the deck, drawing odds change dramatically. That gut-shot straight draw? It’s now more like an open-ender in Hold’em.

Let’s get specific with those odds, shall we? In Short Deck, when you’re on the flop, multiply your outs by about 6 to get your percentage chance of hitting by the river. On the turn, multiply by 3. So if you’ve got 10 outs on the flop, you’re looking at about a 60% chance to improve by the river. On the turn? That drops to around 30%.

Key takeaway: Take some time to study Short Deck odds. Your instincts from Hold’em might lead you astray here.

Bluff with Caution

In a game where everyone seems to have a piece of the board, bluffing becomes a high-wire act. It’s not that you shouldn’t bluff in Short Deck – it’s that you need to choose your spots carefully.

Key takeaway: When you do bluff, make sure you have some equity. Pure bluffs are a lot harder to pull off when everyone’s got a pair or a draw.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even the savviest poker sharks can find themselves floundering in the Short Deck waters. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:

• Overvaluing Suited Hands: In Short Deck, flushes are harder to hit. Don’t go chasing waterfalls (or in this case, flushes) with every suited hand you see.
• Forgetting the New Hand Rankings: Nothing’s more embarrassing than slow rolling with your full house, only to realize your opponent’s flush beats it.
• Playing Too Many Hands: Just because there are fewer cards doesn’t mean you should play them all. Discipline is still key.
• Ignoring Position: Position is still power in Short Deck. Don’t get caught up in the action and forget this fundamental principle.
• Misreading Draws: Those straight draws are more powerful than you think. Don’t fold them too quickly, but also be wary of overplaying them.

Elevate Your Game: Experience the Best of Poker at CoinPoker

At CoinPoker, we’re dedicated to delivering an unparalleled poker experience, even if Short Deck Poker isn’t part of our offerings. With a thrilling selection of games like No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha, our tables offer endless opportunities for exciting gameplay and substantial rewards.

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