Short Deck Poker Rules

Introduction

Have you ever played a poker game without 2s, 3s, 4s, or even 5s? Sounds weird? Well, it’s true. There is a variation called Short Deck Poker, where you remove all the above numbers and play only with 36 cards.

Read further to learn about this exciting variation of Texas Holdem. Learn its rules, hand rankings, and gameplay.

What is short deck poker?

Also known as Six Plus Holdem, Short Deck Poker is another variation of classic Texas Holdem. All the cards ranked 2 to 5 are removed, reducing the deck to 36.

The fewer cards make several differences in the gameplay and strategies compared to Texas Holdem.

Short Deck Poker Objective

The objective of Short Deck Poker is the same as that of a traditional poker game. The goal here is the same: to earn maximum chips and emerge as the winner in the table. In a Short Deck Poker game, the player has to either make all the other players fold or emerge the one with the best hands on the table.

Short Deck Poker Rules

• Smaller Deck

In Short Deck Poker, a smaller deck of 36 cards is used where all the cards from 2s to 5s are removed from the deck. This change alters the dynamics of the game and the hand rankings.

• Flush Beats Full House

In the Short Deck Poker, a Flush ranks higher than a Full House hand. Hence, players must be careful of this change in hand rankings and make decisions accordingly in different streets and during the showdown.

• Versatility of Aces

Aces play an important role in short-deck poker games. Here, aces are used as the highest and lowest card in the deck. For example, to make a straight, aces can work as the highest card, as in A-K-Q-J-10 or as the lowest card in a low-value straight, like A-6-7-8-9.

Short Deck Poker Hand Rankings

The hand ranking differs from the traditional Texas Holdem because the number of cards is less. Here is a comparison between both the hand rankings:

How do you play short-deck poker?

• The game begins with the player sitting to the left of the dealer putting a small blind and the player sitting next to the small blind putting a big blind.
• Each player gets two hole cards.
• In a pre-flop round, after getting two hole cards, you can either fold, call, or raise based on the big blind.
• Another betting round starts after the three community cards are dealt in a Flop.
• In a Turn-betting round, another community card appears, and in a final round called a River, the final community is dealt.
• Finally, in a showdown, the player with the best hand wins.

Short-Deck Poker Strategy

Here are some strategies to help you win short-deck poker:

• Since hand ranking differs from the traditional Texas Holdem, learn the hand ranking first. A flush can beat a Full house in Short-deck poker.
• Hands like A-K, A-Q, and A-J can help you win the round. 
• If you have high cards, don’t keep yourself from playing aggressively. The position also plays a crucial role. Play aggressively only if you are in a late position.
• Straights and Flushes are standard in the game; hence, pay close attention to the board and your opponent’s moves.

Texas Hold’em and Short Deck Poker: Key Differences

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Flush beat a Full House in Short Deck?

Yes, a Flush beat a Full House in Short Deck Poker.

What beats what in short deck poker?

A flush beats a full house, and a straight beats a three-of-a-kind.

What cards are removed in a short deck?

All the 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s cards are removed.

Conclusion

Short-deck poker is a variant of poker that is relatively quicker not because of variations in betting or the number of players playing it but because this game derives its nature from its altered deck size and reduced number of cards involved in the gameplay. If you are playing for the first time, remember that the deck is smaller; only practice can help you master the game. You can refer to this article while trying to learn more and practice this game.