Short Deck Poker, also known as Six-Plus Hold’em, is a relatively new twist on the classic Texas Hold’em game. While it shares many of the same rules, the key distinction lies in the deck itself. Instead of the standard 52-card deck, Short Deck Poker is played with a reduced 36-card deck. This variation gained popularity when it was introduced in high-stakes cash games in Macau, drawing attention from poker enthusiasts around the world.

How to Play Short Deck Poker?

Short Deck Poker online closely mirrors the essential aspects of Texas Hold’em, making it easy for those who are already familiar with the traditional game. Here’s a breakdown of how to play:

1. Starting Hands: Players receive two hole cards each, similar to Texas Hold’em.
2. Community Cards: Five community cards are placed face-up in the center of the table, accessible to all players.
3. Objective: Your goal is to create the strongest possible five-card hand by combining your two-hole cards with the five community cards.
4. Betting Rounds: The betting rounds follow the same pattern as in Texas Hold’em, with betting taking place before the flop, after the flop, on the turn, and on the river.
5. Winning: Victory in Short Deck Poker comes either by having the best hand during the showdown or by using smart betting tactics to make your opponents fold.

The objective of Short Deck Poker:

The goal in Short Deck Poker is similar to traditional poker: to win chips by either having the strongest hand during the showdown or by strategically betting to make your opponents fold. The aim is to accumulate as many chips as possible, and the methods to reach that goal can differ widely.

Short Deck Poker Rules: 

Short Deck Poker operates with only 36 cards, significantly reducing the standard deck by removing the 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s. The deck used in this variant consists of cards ranging from 6 to King, along with Aces. In this game, Aces can represent either the lowest or highest value, much like in Texas Hold’em. A unique feature of Short Deck Poker is that the lowest straight possible is Ace, 6, 7, 8, and 9, where the Ace functions as a 5.

The gameplay follows the basic structure of traditional poker, where each player is dealt two Hole cards and uses the Community cards to create the best possible hand. The game unfolds over four stages of betting: before the flop, after the flop, on the turn, and at the river.. Once the river is dealt, players form their starting hands as usual, with the player holding the best hand at the end winning the pot.

Short Deck Poker: Hand Rankings & Rules

In Short Deck Poker, the hand rankings differ from traditional Texas Hold’em due to the reduced number of cards. Below is a comparison of the hand rankings between the standard 52-card deck and the 36-card deck used in Short Deck Poker:

52-Card Deck Poker	36-Card Deck Poker
Royal Flush	Royal Flush
Straight Flush	Straight Flush
Four of a Kind	Four of a Kind
Full House	Flush
Flush	Full House
Straight	Three of a Kind
Three of a Kind	Straight
Two Pair	Two Pair
Pair	Pair
High Card	High Card

Key Rules of Short Deck Poker:

• Number of Players: The game accommodates 2 to 10 players.
• Deck Composition: All 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s are removed, leaving a 36-card deck.
• Ace Substitution: The Ace can serve as a substitute for a five, creating hands like 9-8-7-6-A.

Detailed Overview of Short Deck Poker Hand Rankings

Grasping the hand rankings in Short Deck Poker is essential due to its unique deck structure. Here’s an overview of the hand rankings, beginning with the highest-ranking hand:

Royal Flush:

The top-ranking hand in Short Deck Poker, featuring the A-K-Q-J-10 all in the same suit. This hand is exceptionally rare and nearly impossible to beat.

Straight Flush:

This is the second most powerful hand, consisting of five consecutive cards of the same suit, like the 9-8-7-6-A of hearts.

Four of a Kind:

Made up of four cards of the same rank, such as four kings or four sevens, this hand is a strong contender that can dominate a game.

Flush:

A Flush is composed of five cards of the same suit in no particular order. Notably, in Short Deck Poker, it ranks higher than a Full House.

Full House:

This hand consists of three cards of the same rank and two cards of a different rank, such as three queens paired with two eights. In Short Deck Poker, it’s a strong hand but doesn’t surpass a Flush.

Three of a Kind:

This hand has three cards of the same rank, for instance, three jacks. Though a solid hand, it can be outmatched by higher-ranked combinations.

Straight:

Comprising five consecutive cards of different suits, such as 10-9-8-7-6, this hand is strong but can be overtaken by higher-ranking straights.

Two Pair:

Consisting of two sets of pairs, like two fives and two tens, this hand is respectable but often falls short compared to higher-ranking hands.

One Pair:

This hand features a single pair of cards of the same rank, such as two queens. It’s a common hand but can be easily beaten by better combinations.

High Card:

When no player has a ranked hand, the highest single card in their hand determines the winner, leading to interesting and sometimes surprising outcomes.

Differences in Short Deck Poker Hand Rankings Compared to Texas Hold’em

In short-deck poker, players have the option to select which hand rankings to use. You can opt for the traditional rankings or choose the alternative set, which alters the hand strength hierarchy. The game can be played in either a no-limit or fixed-limit format, with no-limit being the more commonly preferred style for short-deck poker.

Here’s a look at the standard hand rankings used in the traditional version of short-deck poker, which closely resembles those in Texas Hold’em:

However, when playing the alternative version of short-deck poker, the hand rankings differ. In this version:

• Three-of-a-kind ranks higher than a straight.
• In Short Deck Poker, a flush is ranked higher than a full house.

The reason for these ranking differences lies in the reduced deck size. Short-deck poker uses only 36 cards, and the adjusted rankings help balance the game. For example, with only 9 suited cards available, it’s less likely to achieve a flush compared to making a full house. Consequently, a flush is given higher value to maintain fairness in the game. Many online poker platforms adhere to these modified short-deck poker rules.

Short Deck Poker Strategy

Grasping the fundamentals of Short Deck Poker is only the starting point; leveraging effective strategies is essential for achieving success in the game. Here’s how to adjust your approach for this variant of poker:

First, shift your perspective from regular Texas Hold’em. In short-deck poker, a hand that would be considered strong in Texas Hold’em might be just average here. This is due to the reduced deck size, which increases the likelihood of strong hands like straights and full houses. Consequently, hands that are more common in short-deck poker might be less valuable compared to their Texas Hold’em counterparts.

The deck size in short-deck poker alters the odds for drawing specific hands. For instance, the probability of being dealt pocket aces is significantly higher compared to Texas Hold’em. Therefore, it’s essential to factor these changed odds into your strategy.

If you’re playing the version of short-deck poker where there’s no River card but an additional Hole card, your strategy will need to adapt. The importance of having a strong hand is even more pronounced in this variant. Mastering the rules and understanding the hand rankings specific to short-deck poker will give you an edge and increase your chances of winning.

Short Deck Poker Tips and Strategies

Navigating Short Deck Poker might seem challenging due to the modified deck and different hand rankings, but it closely resembles traditional Texas Hold’em. If you’re familiar with Hold’em, transitioning to Short Deck should be relatively smooth.

One key aspect to remember is that making strong hands is more common. For example, a top pair with the highest kicker, which is a solid hand in Texas Hold’em, is less reliable in Short Deck and often won’t be enough to secure a win. Additionally, pocket aces appear more frequently—over twice as often—as compared to regular Texas Hold’em games.

In Short Deck Poker, two pair combinations are more common for both you and your opponents than in typical Hold’em games. The odds and probabilities for drawing specific hands also shift, making it more likely to complete open-ended straight draws.

Conclusion

Short Deck Poker, with its distinctive 36-card deck and adjusted hand rankings, introduces a fresh and exciting twist to the classic Texas Hold’em game. While it may initially seem daunting due to these differences, players familiar with traditional Hold’em will find the transition relatively straightforward. The increased frequency of strong hands, such as pocket aces and two pairs, along with altered probabilities for drawing specific hands, adds a unique strategic layer to the game. Mastering these nuances and adapting your strategies to the reduced deck size can significantly enhance your chances of success. Whether you’re an experienced poker veteran or just starting out, Short Deck Poker provides a fresh and exciting twist that will definitely keep you engaged and challenged.

Short Deck Poker Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Short Deck Poker?

 Short Deck Poker, or Six-Plus Hold’em, is a variation of Texas Hold’em played with a 36-card deck, excluding the 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s. It maintains the core rules of Texas Hold’em but features unique hand rankings and a different strategic approach.

2. How does Short Deck Poker differ from Texas Hold’em? 

The primary distinction lies in the deck size: Short Deck Poker is played with 36 cards rather than the standard 52. This adjustment influences both the hand rankings and the likelihood of drawing particular hands.  For example, hands like flushes and full houses are ranked differently compared to traditional Hold’em.

3. What are the hand rankings in Short Deck Poker? 

Hand rankings in Short Deck Poker are similar to Texas Hold’em but with some differences due to the reduced deck. For example, a flush ranks higher than a full house in Short Deck Poker. The hand rankings include Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Flush, Full House, Three of a Kind, Straight, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card.

4. How do I play Short Deck Poker?

 Each player is dealt two private hole cards, while five community cards are laid out face-up on the table. The objective is to create the strongest possible five-card hand by combining your hole cards with the community cards. The betting structure follows the same pattern as Texas Hold’em, with rounds before the flop, after the flop, on the turn, and on the river.

5. What strategies should I use in Short Deck Poker? 

Adjust your strategy to account for the increased frequency of strong hands. Be aware that hands which are strong in Texas Hold’em may be less valuable here. For example, pocket aces are dealt more often, and hands like two pairs are more common. Understanding these changes will help you better strategize and make more informed decisions.

6. Are there different versions of Short Deck Poker? 

Yes, there are variations in the hand rankings. Some versions may use the traditional hand rankings, while others may alter the hierarchy, such as making three-of-a-kind rank higher than a straight. It’s important to know which rules apply to your game.

7. Where did Short Deck Poker originate? 

Short Deck Poker gained popularity in high-stakes cash games in Macau. It has since attracted attention from poker enthusiasts worldwide and is now available in various online and live poker settings.

8. Can I play Short Deck Poker online? 

Yes, Short Deck Poker is available on many online poker platforms. Be sure to check the specific rules and hand rankings of the platform you choose to ensure you’re playing by the correct variant.