Short Deck Poker: Rules, Hand Rankings, and Tips To Be a Pro

By, Ananya Pandey

Poker

Playing cards is a skill that entails excitement and thrill. There are ‘n’ several variants in card games to play and poker being your favourite, hacks the first place. One type of poker is Short Deck Poker. Poker players love playing this game.

What is a Short Deck Poker?

Short deck poker, also known as 6+ hold’em or six plus hold’em, is a variant of traditional Texas Hold’em poker or pot limit Omaha. In short deck holdem, the deck is reduced from 52 cards to 36 cards by removing all cards from deuce (2) to five (5), leaving only cards from six (6) to ace (A) in each suit. This alteration significantly changes the hand rankings and gameplay dynamics compared to regular Texas Hold’em or Omaha Poker.

Gameplay of Short Deck Poker

Hand Rankings:

Due to the reduced deck, the hand ranking are adjusted. In most short deck games, a flush beats a full house, and a set (three of a kind) beats a straight. The hand rankings typically follow this order from highest to lowest:

Ante Structure:

Short deck poker often uses an ante instead of blinds. This means that every player at the table must contribute a small amount to the pot before each hand is dealt.

Starting Hands:

With fewer cards in the deck, the starting hand requirements and strategies change. Players are more likely to make strong hands, so aggressive play is often favoured.

Flushes and Straights:

Since flushes beat full houses and straights beat three of a kind, players need to adjust their strategies accordingly. Draws to flushes and straights become more valuable.

Post-flop Play:

Post-flop play can be more action-packed in short-deck poker due to the higher likelihood of players having strong hands. This can lead to more aggressive betting and bluffing.

Short-deck poker has gained popularity in recent years, especially in high-stakes cash games and tournaments. It offers a faster-paced and more intense gameplay experience compared to traditional Texas Hold’em, making it appealing to many poker players looking for something new and exciting.

Short Deck Poker Hand Rankings –

In short deck poker, the hand rankings differ from traditional Texas Hold’em poker hand ranking due to the reduced deck. Check the list from the strongest to the weakest:

Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit. This is the highest-ranking hand in short deck poker, just as in traditional poker.
Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit. For example, 9-8-7-6-5 of hearts. Note that in short deck poker, a straight flush beats four of a kind.
Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank. For example, four sevens. Note that in short deck poker, four of a kind is ranked below a straight flush.
Flush: Five cards of the same suit, not in sequential order. The ranking of flushes is higher than that of full houses in short deck poker.
Full House: Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. For example, three kings and two queens.
Three of a Kind (Set): Three cards of the same rank. For example, three tens.
Straight: Five consecutive cards of any suit. For example, 10-9-8-7-6. Note that in short deck poker, a straight rank below a flush.
Two Pair: Two sets of two cards of the same rank. For example, two jacks and two sixes.
One Pair: Two cards of the same rank. For example, two aces.
High Card: If no players have any of the above hands, the highest card in their hand determines the winner. The ace is usually considered the highest card in short deck poker.

The change in the hand ranking is that the flushes beat full houses, and straights beat three of a kind in short deck poker, which is different from traditional Texas Hold’em.

Short Deck Poker Rules –

Short deck poker rule follows similar rules to traditional Texas Hold’em but with some key differences due to the reduced deck.

Deck: Short deck poker is played with a reduced deck of 36 cards, which includes cards from six (6) to ace (A) in each suit. Cards from deuce (2) to five (5) are removed from the deck.
Blinds or Ante: Short deck games may use either blinds (small blind and big blind) or an ante structure. Blinds work similarly to traditional poker, where the player to the left of the dealer posts the small blind and the player to their left posts the big blind. An ante structure involves all players contributing a small amount to the pot before each hand is dealt.
Deal: The dealer button rotates clockwise after each hand. Players are dealt two hole cards face down, just like in Texas Hold’em. These hole cards are to be used in making your winning hand.
Betting Rounds: The betting rounds proceed in the same manner as traditional Hold’em:
- Pre-flop: Players make decisions based on their hole cards.
- Flop: Three community cards are dealt face up on the table.
- Turn: One additional community card is dealt face up.
- River: The final community card is dealt face up.
Showdown: If multiple players remain in the hand after the final betting round, a showdown occurs. The player with the best five-card hand according to the hand rankings wins the pot.
Button Moves: The dealer button moves clockwise after each hand, and the blinds or ante move accordingly. This ensures that each player takes turns being in late, middle, and early positions throughout the game.
Betting Limits: Short deck poker games can have different betting structures, such as no-limit, pot-limit, or fixed-limit betting. The specific rules for bet sizes and raises depend on the variant being played.

Short deck poker rules are to be understood and followed before diving into the game. If you play No Limit Holdem or Texas Hold’em, mastering the short-hand poker game would be easy for you. The variation in the rules makes short deck holdem a fun format where a flush can beat a full house.

Short Deck Poker Strategies –

Winning a short-deck poker game requires a combination of solid fundamentals, understanding the unique aspects of the game, and employing effective short-deck poker strategy. Some way or the other it is similar to poker strategy but also different in many ways.

1- Adjust to the Altered Hand Rankings:

Since the deck is reduced and hand rankings are adjusted, it’s crucial to understand the new hierarchy of hands. For example, flushes beat full houses, and three of a kind (set) beats a straight. Adjust your starting hand selection and post-flop play accordingly.

2- Play Aggressively:

Short deck poker tends to be more aggressive compared to traditional Hold’em. With stronger starting hands more frequently, be ready to play aggressively pre-flop and post-flop. Aggression can help you build pots when you have strong hands and put pressure on opponents.

3- Value Drawing Hands:

Drawing to flushes and straights becomes more valuable in short deck poker due to the higher frequency of strong hands. Be willing to invest in draws when the pot odds are favourable, especially for nut (highest possible) draws.

4- Positional Awareness:

Position is crucial in all forms of poker, and short deck is no exception. Play more hands from late position and be cautious from early position. Use your position to control the size of the pot and gain information from opponents’ actions.

5- Understand Stack Depths:

Short deck games often involve shallower stacks compared to traditional poker. Be aware of stack sizes, especially effective stacks (the smaller of the two stacks in a hand), as they can influence your decisions and strategies.

6- Beware of Set Over Set:

With three of a kind (set) ranking higher than a straight, be cautious when facing aggression from opponents. Set over set situations can be common in short deck poker, so consider the strength of your hand relative to the board and your opponents’ actions.

7- Mix Up Your Play:

Avoid being too predictable at the table. Mix up your betting patterns, bluff occasionally, and balance your range of hands to keep opponents guessing. This helps you extract value from strong hands and makes it harder for opponents to read your actions.

8- Study and Practice:

Like any form of poker, continuous learning and practice are key to improving your skills. Study resources, watch videos, analyse your hands, and play regularly to refine your strategies and adapt to different playing styles.

Short Deck Poker FAQs

1- What is short deck poker?

Short deck poker, also known as 6+ hold’em or six plus hold’em, is a variant of traditional Texas Hold’em poker. It uses a reduced deck of 36 cards (cards from six to ace in each suit) instead of the standard 52-card deck.

2- How are hand rankings different in short deck poker?

Hand rankings in short deck poker are adjusted due to the reduced deck. For example, a flush beats a full house, and three of a kind (set) beats a straight. The hand rankings typically follow this order from highest to lowest: Royal flush, Straight flush, Four of a kind, Flush, Full house, Three of a kind, Straight, Two pair, One pair, High card.

3- What are the most valuable starting hands in short deck poker?

In short deck poker, strong starting hands include pocket pairs (especially higher pairs like aces or kings), suited connectors, and suited broadway hands (e.g., AK suited, AQ suited). Hands that can make nut flushes or nut straights are particularly valuable.

4- Is short deck poker more aggressive than regular poker?

Yes, short deck poker tends to be more aggressive than traditional poker due to the higher frequency of strong hands and altered hand rankings. Players often play more aggressively pre-flop and post-flop.

5- What strategies should I use to win at short deck poker?

Strategies for winning at short deck poker include adjusting to the altered hand rankings, playing aggressively, valuing drawing hands, being aware of positional advantages, understanding stack depths, avoiding set over set situations, mixing up your play, and continuous study and practice.

6- Can I play short deck poker online?

Yes, many online poker platforms offer short deck poker games in various formats, including cash games, tournaments, and sit & go’s. You can find short deck poker games alongside other popular variants like Texas Hold’em and Omaha. You can also play it for real money.

7- Is short deck poker suitable for beginners?

While short deck poker can be more complex and aggressive than traditional poker, beginners can still enjoy and learn the game. Starting with low-stakes games, studying resources, and gaining experience through practice can help beginners improve their skills in short deck poker.

Author: Ananya Pandey

Ananya Pandey is a gaming enthusiast who likes to wander in the realm of real money gaming, and online gaming. She is not only an expert at online gaming, but also improves the quality of gaming for Indian audiences using her words in her write-ups. Being an experienced gaming editor, her expertise helps real money players make sound decisions.