Short Deck Poker (6+ Hold'em): rules, differences from Texas Hold'em, and 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, the Short Deck began to conquer the online world: the new type of poker was added to the lobbies of PokerStars, GGPoker, and iPoker Network rooms. Simultaneously, WSOP organisers included a Texas 6+ event in the tournament grid. Let's discuss the rules of Short Deck, explore the differences from NL Holdem, and provide recommendations for strategy.

How Short Deck poker differs from No-Limit Texas Holdem

In No-Limit Texas Holdem and most other types of poker, a deck of 52 cards is used. 

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

Short Deck is played with a shortened deck of 36 cards. The lowest denominations have been removed: twos, threes, fours, and fives. Among other differences, note:

• Revised hand rankings. In Texas 6+, a flush beats a full house. The reduction of the deck decreased the likelihood of hitting a flush, thus its value has increased. Some rooms place a set higher than a straight.

• New approach to the lowest straight. In No-Limit Holdem, the combination is made with: A, 2, 3, 4, 5. In Short Deck poker, the lowest straight includes: A, 6, 7, 8, 9.

• A shift from blinds to ante. Before the start of the hand, all opponents at the table pay mandatory bets. The player on the BTN pays 2 antes. Sometimes the classic approach with blinds is used.

The rest of the combinations, positions, and sequence of betting are the same as in No-Limit Texas Holdem. 

The removal of 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 summarised in the table:

Probabilities for making hands from flop to turn or turn to river have changed as well:

The shortened deck also changes the rules for calculating outs. In NL Holdem, approximate odds of getting the necessary card are calculated by multiplying outs by 2. For instance, a straight draw is enhanced by 8 cards from the deck. Multiply 8 outs by 2 to get 16%. To calculate the probability of hitting a combination over 2 streets, multiply the number of cards by 4. A straight draw will hit the necessary out 32% of the time. In Short Deck, the rule is to multiply by x3 and x6. The probability of strengthening from flop to turn is indicated by multiplying outs by 3, and from flop to river—by 6.

New conditions demand a new strategy. Do not play in the same style as you would at No-Limit Holdem tables.

How to adapt your strategy for Short Deck

The shortening of the deck increased the dynamics of the game. Opponents more frequently gather strong combinations and play for large pots. 

A flush is stronger than a full house—a key rule distinction of Texas 6+ compared to Holdem

Alongside aggression, variance has increased too. More conservative bankroll management is a good starting step in Short Deck. It's useful to change the perception of hand strength. In No-Limit Holdem, pots are often won with top pairs. Sometimes, even high card is enough. In Holdem 6+, the value of combinations falls. With overpairs, two pairs, sets, and straights, you should act more cautiously.

In Short Deck poker, drawing hands hit much more often, so ready-made combinations should be protected more actively. This implies larger bets on value and bluffing. Completely abandon slow play at Holdem 6+ tables. In No-Limit Holdem, there are occasional situations where it is advantageous to shift aggression to later streets. For example, with a set of aces on a dry flop, you can check. In Short Deck, slow play grants 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 Holdem. To push an opponent out of the pot, you need to bet multiple streets. One continuous bet will not be enough to win. When planning a bluff, always consider blockers. Opponents also understand that drawing hands hit their outs more often, thus they are more likely to believe a flush has been made. 

How to learn to play Short Deck

Online, Short Deck is classified as a niche game. It's not played in high-limit cash games. Even tournaments in Texas 6+ are rarely held. Consequently, there are few educational materials about Short Deck. Improving your game in Short Deck poker is aided by software work. Here are some programs that support Short Deck:

Practice and systematic training provide a direct path to mastery in any form of poker and discipline. More details about working on your game were discussed in the article “How to learn poker effectively”.

Which rooms offer Holdem 6+

Many industry specialists forecasted a bright future for Short Deck. The journey from the presentation of the new game to the first tournament at WSOP took a year. However, since 2019, Holdem 6+ has slowed down. In terms of popularity, Short Deck has not even caught up with PLO. There's no need to mention competition with NL Holdem. Interest in the game quickly waned in online poker as well. Some rooms managed to add and then remove Short Deck poker from the lobby. For example, this is what TigerGaming did, along with other showcases of the Chico Poker network.

PokerOK. The most attractive conditions for Short Deck fans have been created by PokerOK. The game has been placed in a separate lobby tab. Every day, the room distributes $8,000 among cash players. PokerOK also organises tournaments in Holdem 6+. The daily schedule includes 50 Short Deck tournaments. The prize pool for the most expensive event is $2,000. The buy-in for the tournament is more impressive than its guarantee: entry is $215. PokerOK adds Short Deck tournaments to the schedule of major online festivals.

PokerOK is the best platform for playing Short Deck poker

PokerStars. There is an audience for the game on PokerStars too. 6+ Holdem does not enjoy great interest, but individual tables can be found. There are no tournaments with a shortened deck on PokerStars.

Pokerdom. Pokerdom pays great attention to exotic types of poker. Therefore, the lobby includes pineapple, short deck, and several varieties of Omaha. Formally, the room also organises Short Deck tournaments. However, 3 tournaments a week is hardly a full schedule. 

RedStar Poker. The iPoker network was among the first to add the game in online poker. The Short Deck audience accepted it: for several months, poker players actively tried the novelty. Over time, interest in 6+ Holdem waned. Now the section is empty. Short Deck poker tournaments are not held either. 

Short Deck is also offered by small platforms like VangPoker and Nuts Poker. Some PPPoker, SupremaPoker, and PokerBros clubs also add the game.