Short Deck Poker, also known as Six Plus Hold’em, has revolutionized tournament poker since its introduction to major casino floors in 2018. Having analyzed thousands of hands and consulted with professional players who compete in high-stakes short deck events, this comprehensive guide provides everything you need to master this exciting poker variant—whether you’re playing at an online casino or exploring games through platforms like Lotto60.
What Is Short Deck Poker?
Short Deck Poker is a Texas Hold’em variant played with a reduced 36-card deck, removing all cards ranked 2 through 5. This fundamental change creates dramatically different hand frequencies and strategic considerations compared to traditional poker.
Key specifications:
- Deck composition: Cards 6 through Ace only (36 total cards)
- Player capacity: 2-10 players per table
- Community cards: Standard 5-card board (flop, turn, river)
- Hole cards: 2 cards per player
Historical Context and Tournament Adoption
Short Deck Poker originated in high-stakes cash games across Macau and other Asian gambling centers around 2014. The variant gained international recognition when the Triton Poker Series began hosting Short Deck events in 2018, featuring buy-ins exceeding $1 million.
Major tournament milestones include:
- 2018: First Triton Short Deck event in Montenegro
- 2019: World Series of Poker introduces Short Deck bracelet event
- 2020-2025: Adoption by major online poker platforms including PokerStars and GGPoker
Official Rules and Gameplay
Betting Structure
Unlike traditional Hold’em, Short Deck uses a button ante system:
- The dealer (button position) posts the ante
- All other players post matching antes before cards are dealt
- Pre-flop action begins with the player to the left of the button
- Standard betting rounds follow: pre-flop, flop, turn, and river
Hand Rankings (Critical Differences)
The reduced deck fundamentally alters hand probabilities. Most importantly: A flush beats a full house in Short Deck Poker.
Complete hand rankings (strongest to weakest):
- Royal Flush – 10-J-Q-K-A suited
- Straight Flush – Five consecutive suited cards
- Four of a Kind – Four matching ranks
- Flush – Five cards of the same suit
- Full House – Three of a kind plus a pair
- Straight – Five consecutive ranks (A-6-7-8-9 is valid)
- Three of a Kind – Three matching ranks
- Two Pair – Two separate pairs
- One Pair – Two matching ranks
- High Card – No made hand
Important note: Some casinos implement alternative ranking systems. Always verify house rules before playing, particularly regarding whether three of a kind beats a straight.
Mathematical Analysis and Probabilities
Understanding the mathematical differences is crucial for optimal play:
Pre-flop Hand Strengths
- Pocket pairs: Significantly weaker due to reduced set-mining opportunities
- Suited connectors: Much stronger due to increased straight and flush potential
- Broadway cards: Maintain relative strength for straight-making potential
Post-flop Calculations
Replace the traditional “Rule of 4 and 2” with the “Rule of 6 and 3”:
- On the flop: Multiply outs by 6 for approximate percentage to make hand by river
- On the turn: Multiply outs by 3 for river percentage
Example: With 8 outs on the flop, you have approximately 48% equity (8 × 6).
Professional Strategy Framework
Pre-flop Strategy Adjustments
Recommended starting hands (in position):
- Premium: A-K, A-Q, A-J, K-Q, Q-J, J-10 (suited and unsuited)
- Strong: A-10, K-J, 9-10, 8-9, 7-8, 6-7 (especially suited)
- Marginal: Pocket pairs 6-6 through 10-10 (play cautiously)
Avoid over-valuing:
- High pocket pairs (J-J, Q-Q, K-K) without strong post-flop texture
- Offsuit hands without straight potential
Post-flop Strategic Principles
- Aggression with draws: Open-ended straight draws can have up to 45% equity
- Flush draw caution: With only 9 cards per suit, flush draws are less frequent but extremely valuable
- Board texture awareness: Coordinated boards create multiple drawing possibilities
Tournament-Specific Considerations
Based on analysis of major Short Deck tournaments:
- Early stages: Focus on implied odds and drawing hands
- Middle stages: Increase aggression with strong draws and made hands
- Late stages: Pocket pairs regain value due to shorter stacks and reduced post-flop play
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-valuing traditional strong hands like pocket aces or kings without supportive board texture
- Under-betting with strong draws that have significant equity
- Applying traditional Hold’em pot odds without adjusting for the shortened deck
- Ignoring position importance when drawing hands are more frequent
Where to Play Short Deck Poker
Online Platforms
- PokerStars: Regular tournaments and cash games
- GGPoker: Part of their “Rush & Cash” format
- Natural8: Featured in Triton series qualifiers
Live Venues
- Las Vegas: Select high-limit rooms during WSOP
- Macau: Multiple casinos offer regular cash games
- European tour stops: EPT and Triton events
Conclusion
Short Deck Poker represents a significant evolution in poker strategy, requiring players to abandon many traditional concepts while embracing new mathematical realities. Success demands understanding the altered hand values, adjusted probabilities, and aggressive drawing strategies that define optimal play.
For players seeking to expand their poker expertise beyond traditional formats, Short Deck offers both intellectual challenge and significant profit potential in the growing tournament and cash game markets.
Sources:
- Triton Poker Series official tournament data (2018-2025)
- World Series of Poker Short Deck event statistics
- Professional player interviews and strategy consultations
- Mathematical analysis using PokerTracker and similar software
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes. Gambling involves risk, and players should never wager more than they can afford to lose.