How to Play Short Deck Poker (6+ Hold’em) – A Complete Guide

Short Deck Poker, often called 6+ Hold’em, has emerged as one of the most exciting variants of Texas Hold’em. Originally popularized in high-stakes Asian cash games, it has since spread worldwide, becoming a staple in both live tournaments and major online poker platforms.

The defining twist is simple: all the 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s are removed, leaving only 36 cards in the deck. This small change dramatically reshapes the game—hands connect more often, pots grow larger, and traditional hand rankings shift to match the new probabilities. For players who find regular Hold’em too slow or predictable, Short Deck offers a fast-paced, adrenaline-filled alternative.

Key Differences Between Short Deck and Texas Hold’em

1. Smaller Deck Size – Only cards from Six to Ace remain, reducing the deck to 36 cards.
2. Adjusted Hand Rankings – Since flushes are harder to hit, they rank higher than a full house.
3. Ace as High or Low – Aces can wrap around, making A-6-7-8-9 the lowest straight.
4. Increased Action – With stronger hands appearing more frequently, the game naturally produces bigger pots and more aggressive play.

Rules of Short Deck Poker

Although the game introduces new dynamics, its overall flow is familiar to Texas Hold’em players.

Antes Instead of Blinds

• Every player contributes an ante before the cards are dealt.
• The button typically posts an additional big ante to stimulate action.

Dealing and Betting Rounds

• Each player receives two private hole cards.
• Five community cards are revealed across the Flop, Turn, and River, with four betting rounds in total.
• Players aim to make the strongest five-card hand by combining hole cards with the board.

Betting Options

At each betting stage, players may:

• Check – Pass action without betting (if no wager is made).
• Bet or Raise – Put chips into the pot to build pressure.
• Call – Match another player’s bet.
• Fold – Surrender their hand.

At showdown, the strongest five-card hand claims the pot.

Hand Rankings in Short Deck Poker

Due to the reduced deck, the hierarchy of winning hands is slightly adjusted:

1. Royal Flush – Ten to Ace, all suited
2. Straight Flush – Five connected suited cards
3. Four of a Kind – Four cards of the same rank
4. Flush – Any five suited cards (higher than a full house in this format)
5. Full House – Three of one rank plus a pair
6. Straight – Five sequential cards, mixed suits
7. Three of a Kind – Three cards of the same rank
8. Two Pair – Two separate pairs
9. One Pair – A single matching pair
10. High Card – Highest card when no other hand forms

Odds and Mathematical Adjustments

Playing with fewer cards reshapes the underlying probabilities:

• Pocket Pairs Appear More Often – With only nine ranks, pairs are naturally more frequent.
• Straights Are Easier to Make – Cards connect more easily, raising the value of middle connectors.
• Flushes Are Rarer – Fewer suited cards mean flushes carry premium strength.
• Equity Shifts – Premium pairs like AA are strong but not as dominant; even medium hands like 66 retain surprising equity.

Beginner-Friendly Strategy for Short Deck

If you’re starting out in 6+ Hold’em, consider these fundamentals:

1. Respect Position – Acting later gives more information, making positional advantage even more critical than in regular Hold’em.
2. Play More Connectors – Hands like 9-10 or 10-J gain strength because straights form more frequently.
3. Rethink Small Pairs – Pocket 6s or 7s look playable, but they often struggle against bigger hands.
4. Be Selective with Suited Cards – Flushes are valuable but harder to hit, so don’t overvalue weak suited hands.
5. Adopt Tight-Aggressive Play – Begin conservatively, focus on quality hands, and gradually expand your range as your confidence grows.

Final Thoughts

Short Deck Poker takes the familiar mechanics of Texas Hold’em and turns the intensity up a notch. With fewer cards in play, every hand feels more connected, and the action rarely slows down. The altered hand rankings force players to rethink old strategies, while the fast pace ensures a constant adrenaline rush.

For beginners, the key is mastering the rule changes, adjusting your preflop selection, and recognizing the new value of certain hands. Once you grow comfortable with the flow, Short Deck provides a refreshing, high-energy alternative to traditional Hold’em.

FAQ: Short Deck Poker