Short Deck Poker (6+ Hold'em): rules, differences from Texas Hold'em, and the best strategy

Short deck poker was invented in 2015. The game was introduced to audiences at the Triton Poker tournament series in 2018. A year later, Short Deck began to conquer the online world: the new poker variant was added to the lobbies of PokerStars, GGPoker, and the rooms of the iPoker Network. At the same time, the WSOP organizers included a Texas 6+ event in their tournament schedule. Let's discuss the rules of Short Deck, look at the differences from NL Holdem, and offer some strategy recommendations.

How short deck poker differs from no-limit Texas Hold'em

No-limit Texas Hold'em and most other poker variants use a 52-card deck. 

Amateurs value the game for its high dynamics, professionals — for the number of amateurs at the table

Short Deck is played with a shortened 36-card deck. The lowest denominations are removed from play: deuces, threes, fours, and fives. Among the other differences, we should note:

• Revised hand rankings. In Texas 6+, a flush beats a full house. Shortening the deck reduced the chance of hitting a flush, so its value increased. Some rooms rank a set above a straight.

• A new approach to the lowest straight. In no-limit Hold'em, the combination is made up of: A, 2, 3, 4, 5. In short deck poker, the lowest straight consists of: A, 6, 7, 8, 9.

• Abandoning blinds in favor of antes. Before the hand starts, all opponents at the table pay forced bets. The player on the BTN posts 2 antes. Sometimes the classic blinds approach is used as well.

The remaining combinations, positions, and betting sequence match no-limit Texas Hold'em. 

Removing the low cards changed the number of hands. In NL Holdem, there were 1,326. In Short Deck, the number of starting combinations was reduced to 630. The other consequences of the shortened deck are summarized in the table:

The probabilities of making combinations from flop to turn or from turn to river have also changed:

The shortened deck also changes the rules for counting outs. In NL Holdem, the approximate odds of getting the card you need are calculated by multiplying your outs by 2. For example, a straight draw is improved by 8 cards in the deck. We multiply 8 outs by 2 and get 16%. To calculate the probability of hitting your combination across 2 streets, we multiply the number of cards by 4. A straight draw will hit the needed out 32% of the time. In Short Deck, the x3 and x6 rule applies. The probability of improving from flop to turn is given by the product of outs times 3, and from flop to river — times 6.

The new conditions require a new strategy. Don't play the same way you would at no-limit Hold'em tables.

How to adapt your strategy for Short Deck

The shortened deck increased the game's dynamics. Opponents more often make strong hands and play big pots. 

A flush beats a full house — the key difference between Texas 6+ rules and Hold'em

Along with the aggression, variance has also increased. A more conservative bankroll management approach is a good first step in Short Deck. It's helpful to change your perception of hand strength. In no-limit Hold'em, pots are often won by top pairs. Sometimes even a high card is enough. In Hold'em 6+, the value of hands drops. With overpairs, two pair, sets, and straights you need to act more carefully.

In short deck poker, draws come in much more often, so made hands should be protected more aggressively. This means larger bets for value and as a bluff. Completely abandon slowplay at Hold'em 6+ tables. In no-limit Hold'em, situations occasionally arise where it's profitable to delay the aggression to later streets. For example, with a set of aces on a dry flop, you can check. In Short Deck, slowplay gives opponents free cards. If an opponent wants to chase a draw, let them pay a good price for it.

Bluffs in short deck poker work worse than in Hold'em. To force an opponent out of the pot, you need to bet several streets. A single continuation bet won't be enough to win. When planning a bluff, be sure to consider blockers. Opponents also understand that draws hit their outs more often, so they're more willing to believe a flush has come in. 

How to learn to play Short Deck

Online, Short Deck is considered a niche game. It isn't played at high cash game stakes. And almost no one runs Texas 6+ tournaments. That's why there aren't many learning materials about Short Deck. Working with software will help you raise your short deck poker game. Here are the programs that support Short Deck:

Practice and systematic training are the direct path to mastery in any poker variant and discipline. We covered working on your game in more detail in the article "How to learn poker effectively".

Which rooms offer Hold'em 6+

Many industry experts predicted a bright future for Short Deck. The journey from the presentation of the new game to the first WSOP tournament took a year. However, since 2019, Hold'em 6+ has lost steam. In terms of popularity, Short Deck hasn't even caught up to PLO. There's no point even discussing competition with NL Holdem. Interest in the game in online poker faded quickly as well. Some rooms managed to add and then remove short deck poker from their lobbies. For example, that's what TigerGaming and other skins of the Chico Poker network did.

PokerOK. The most attractive conditions for Short Deck fans were created by PokerOK. The game was moved to a separate lobby tab. Every day the room gives away $8,000 among cash game players. PokerOK also organizes Hold'em 6+ tournaments. The daily schedule includes 50 Short Deck tournaments. The prize pool of the most expensive event equals $2,000. The tournament's buy-in is more impressive than its guarantee: entry costs $215. PokerOK also adds short deck tournaments to the schedules of its major online festivals.

PokerOK — the best platform for playing short deck poker

PokerStars. The game has an audience on PokerStars too. 6+ Holdem isn't very popular, but you can find individual tables. There are no shortened-deck tournaments on PokerStars.

Pokerdom. Pokerdom pays a lot of attention to exotic poker variants. That's why the room's lobby includes pineapple, short deck, and several varieties of Omaha. Formally, the room also organizes Short Deck tournaments. However, 3 tournaments a week can hardly be called a full schedule.  

RedStar Poker. The iPoker network was one of the first in online poker to add the game. The Short Deck audience embraced it: for several months players actively tried out the novelty. Over time, interest in 6+ Holdem faded. Now the section sits empty. Short deck poker tournaments aren't held either. 

Short deck is also offered by smaller platforms, such as VangPoker and Nuts Poker. Some clubs on PPPoker, SupremaPoker, and PokerBros add the game as well.

FAQ

What sets Short Deck apart from Hold'em?

Short Deck is played with a shortened 36-card deck. It has no deuces, threes, fours, or fives. Other key differences: 1) a flush beats a full house, 2) the lowest straight is formed by A6789, 3) instead of blinds, opponents post antes.

Why does a flush beat a full house?

Removing the small cards reduced the chance of making a flush. In Hold'em, a player with a flush draw has 9 outs to improve; in Short Deck — 5. The probability of making a full house, on the other hand, increased. 

Which programs support Short Deck?

The poker trackers Hand2Note 4 and DriveHUD 2 let you import hands. You can analyze hands in the CombCalc6Plus and Oranges 6Plus Calculator calculators. FreeBetRange can work with ranges. GTO+: Short Deck and RangeConverter give you the ability to study Six Plus Holdem from a GTO perspective.

Which rooms run Short Deck tournaments?

PokerOK has given the most attention to Short Deck. Every day the room organizes 50 short deck poker tournaments. Occasionally, Texas 6+ events can be found in Pokerdom's schedule.