Welcome to the World of Short Deck Poker!

Discovering Short Deck Poker – An Introduction

Hey there! Have you heard about Short Deck Poker? It’s a thrilling game that’s taking the world by storm. Get ready to dive in and explore this exciting variation of Texas Holdem!

Short Deck Poker may seem familiar to regular Holdem players, but let me tell you, there are some intriguing twists and turns in this game. Understanding these differences is key to mastering Short Deck Poker. Take a look at the main variations:

• We play with 36 cards instead of the usual 52-card deck. Say goodbye to those pesky 2s through 5s!
• The hand rankings are slightly different. In this game, a flush beats a full-house. Keep that in mind!
• Here’s an interesting one: the Ace can play as a low card or be part of a straight. Picture this: “A 6 7 8 9”. Exciting, right?

Let’s talk about a really cool variation of poker called Short Deck. It’s different from the regular version, but it’s becoming very popular around the world.

In Short Deck, just like in Texas Holdem, you start with two cards. And the betting rounds are the same too. But the main difference is how the blinds work.

In regular poker, you have small and big blinds. But in Short Deck, there are no blinds like that. Instead, each player puts a certain amount of money into the pot. That’s called an “ante”. And the player on the button puts in twice that amount.

When the hand starts, the action goes around the table clockwise, starting from the button. This means that each player has the option to fold, call the button’s ante, or raise. Once the preflop play is finished, the hand continues to the next position to the left of the button and moves clockwise on every subsequent street.

For those who prefer a simpler explanation:

The Math

The calculations in this game change quite a bit. We remove the weakest cards (2s through 5s) from the deck, which means you’ll end up with more playable and connected hands. This also means that you’ll get premium pocket pairs twice as often. You’ll find yourself playing more pots with multiple players because, like you, your opponents will also have better hands more often.

I want to emphasize that preflop hands have a smaller value difference because each holding has a greater chance of improving. Connectors and suited cards, in particular, become more valuable, while premium holdings like Ace-King or pocket pairs lose some of their worth.

The reason behind this is that there are fewer cards in the deck, so you’ll end up playing more connectors like JT or 98. As a result, you’re also more likely to have drawing hands. It’s not just that you’ll have more of these drawing hands, but you’ll also have a higher chance of actually hitting them. This is the main reason why these types of hands increase in value.

Imagine this: you’re playing a game of Texas Holdem, and you have an open-ended straight draw on the flop. In the regular version of the game, you have a 32% chance of improving your hand by the river. But in a special version called Short Deck, your chances skyrocket to almost 50%! That’s a massive difference.

Now, here’s an interesting fact: when it comes to flush draws, things work a bit differently. In Short Deck, there are fewer cards in the deck, so your chances of hitting a flush draw decrease. In the full deck, you have 13 different cards that can complete your flush, but in Short Deck, you only have 9 (because we removed some cards). So, if you find yourself with a flush draw, you only have five outs remaining. That’s because you already have four cards of the same suit in your hand.

Even though your chances of hitting it are lower, a flush actually beats a full house in this version of the game. So, these draws are valuable because if you do hit them, you’ll almost certainly have a winning hand.

Useful Tips for Short Deck

If you’ve played other poker games before, you can apply some common knowledge, like taking advantage of your position, estimating your opponents’ hands, bluffing, and playing aggressively. However, there are a few specific tips I want to share with you before you try Six-Plus.

Don’t overestimate medium-strength hands. In Six-Plus, holding a top pair is actually a weak hand, and you won’t often win big pots with it.

Don’t be afraid to limp before the flop. Even though it might seem a little strange, limping in from an early position is actually a smart move in Short Deck Holdem. It’s considered the best option because it helps you control the size of your pot and gives you more chances to play after the flop without committing too much to the hand.

Focus on playing hands that are suited or connected. Since flushes beat full houses in this game, suited cards become much more valuable and should be played more frequently. The same goes for connected hands, like cards that are close in rank, since they have a good chance of hitting draws and can even compete well against strong starting hands like AK. These types of hands hold higher value and should be played more often.

When it comes to playing poker, there’s an important strategy you should keep in mind: proper bet sizing. It might seem like a simple concept, but it can make a big difference in your game.

First, let’s talk about the structure of the game. Each player puts in an ante, which creates a big pot right from the start. This means that even if you have a shorter stack, raising before the flop can commit you to the hand. If your opponent goes all-in, you’ll have to make a tough decision based on math. To avoid these tricky situations, it’s crucial to play cautiously and always think about your bet sizing.

Now let’s look to the future. Short Deck Holdem, also known as Six Plus Holdem, is gaining popularity among both professional and recreational players. It’s becoming a featured format in poker series events, and it’s especially popular in Asia. However, its popularity is spreading worldwide, and it’s expected to become even more widespread.

Why is Short Deck Holdem so exciting? Well, it’s a stripped-down version of traditional Texas Holdem. The deck is “shortened” by removing all the twos, threes, fours, and fives, leaving only a deck of 36 cards. This creates more action and bigger hands, making the game faster and more thrilling.

So, if you’re looking for a new poker challenge, Short Deck Holdem might be just what you need. Its unique rules and fast-paced nature make it a favorite among players everywhere. Give it a try and see how this exciting format can elevate your poker experience!