What is Short Deck Poker?

Short-deck poker, also known as six-plus hold'em, is a variant of Texas Hold'em that uses a 36-card deck instead of the traditional 52-card deck. This game has gained popularity in recent years, particularly at high-stakes games in Macau.

Gameplay and Rules

A game of short-deck poker follows the same rules and gameplay as Texas Hold'em poker. Players receive two hole cards and need to combine them with five community cards to create the best possible five-card hand.

The key differences between short-deck poker and regular Texas Hold'em are:

• The 36-card deck used in short-deck poker
• Alternative hand rankings compared to traditional Texas Hold'em

Hand Rankings

In short-deck poker, the ranking of hands is slightly different from traditional Texas Hold'em. Straights and full houses become more common due to the smaller deck, which makes it easier to make these types of hands.

Basic Strategy

The removal of low-value cards from the deck changes the game's basic strategy and the value of different poker hands. Players should adjust their thinking about relative hand values from what they are used to in regular Texas Hold'em. Straits and full houses become more valuable, while high-card hands like top pair-top kicker become less strong.

The smaller deck also affects the likelihood of being dealt certain hands. For example, players are more than twice as likely to get pocket aces in short-deck poker compared to traditional Texas Hold'em.

Short-Deck Poker Variations

One popular variation of short-deck poker is the "Omaha-style" river card, where players are each dealt a third hole card instead of receiving a fifth community card. This changes the way players make their five-card hands and requires adjustments to their strategy.

Short-deck poker / 6+ hold'em offers an exciting alternative to traditional Texas Hold'em, with its unique rules and gameplay. The game has gained popularity due to its action-filled nature and the fact that it makes high-value combinations more likely. With a smaller deck and different hand rankings, players must adapt their strategy to succeed in this variant.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do you play Short-Deck Poker? A game of short-deck poker follows the same rules and gameplay as Texas Hold'em poker.
• Why is short-deck poker so popular? The game became famous at high-stakes games in Macau due to its unique characteristics, making it more probable for players to hit high-value combinations.
• Where is short-deck poker played? You can play short-deck poker live at most poker festivals or online through the various pokers sites listed on this page.

Recommended Poker Rooms

If you're looking for a place to play short-deck poker, we recommend checking out the following rooms:

• BetOnline: Offers $8 free no deposit needed + 100% up to $1,000
• Bovada: Provides 100% first deposit bonus up to $600
• Ignition Casino: Gives up to $30 of free play + 100% up to $600

These rooms have a great reputation for their software, bonuses, and overall poker experience.