Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of Short Deck Poker? It’s no surprise that this fast-paced variation of Texas Hold’em is gaining traction among players worldwide. Now available on top-tier platforms like BWINPH, Short Deck Hold’em—also known as Six Plus Hold’em—is quickly becoming a favorite for poker enthusiasts looking for a fresh challenge.
But don’t be fooled—just because you’ve played regular Texas Hold’em doesn’t mean you’re automatically ready for Short Deck. While the two games share similarities, the unique deck composition and altered hand rankings make this version a different beast entirely.
So, what exactly is Short Deck Poker? How is it played, and what sets it apart from classic Hold’em? Let BWINPH walk you through everything you need to know to get started.
What is a Short Deck Poker?
Sometimes called Six Plus Hold’em or 6+ Poker, Short Deck emerged around 2017 in Macau. Its name comes from the fact that the game is played with a reduced deck of 36 cards, removing all cards from 2 to 5.
This makes the game much faster-paced and more action-packed than traditional Texas Hold’em. It also reduces the number of weak hands before the flop and also gives players more playable hands.
Short Deck Hold’em vs No Limit Hold’em
Short Deck shares many of the same rules as standard Texas Hold’em. Each player receives two private (hole) cards, and there are four community card rounds: pre-flop, flop, turn, and river. Players aim to form the best five-card hand using any combination of their hole cards and the community cards.
However, the reduced deck introduces major changes to probabilities. For instance:
- Some weaker hands in Texas Hold’em are stronger in Short Deck.
- Flushes are rarer, so they rank higher than Straights.
- The lowest straight is now A-6-7-8-9 (not A-2-3-4-5, since 2s through 5s are removed).
How to Play Short Deck Hold’em at BWINPH
To play Short Deck Poker on BWINPH, here are the steps:
- Use a 36-card deck (2s through 5s are removed).
- Place an ante bet to start the round. The player on the Dealer button posts an additional blind bet to trigger the action.
- Each player receives two hole cards.
- Four rounds of betting follow: pre-flop, flop, turn, and river.
- The goal is to build the best 5-card hand using hole and community cards.
Note: While some versions of Short Deck use traditional small/big blinds, the ante plus blind button format is more common in online platforms like BWINPH.
Short Deck Hand Rankings (Adjusted from Texas Hold’em)
Due to the shorter deck, the odds of hitting certain hands change. As a result, hand rankings are slightly different from the standard game. Here’s how hands rank in Short Deck Poker on BWINPH:
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Flush (ranks higher than a Straight)
- Full House
- Straight
- Three of a Kind
- Two Pair
- One Pair
- High Card
Remember, flushes are more difficult to complete with fewer suited cards, making them more valuable than straights.
Conclusion
Short Deck Poker is a thrilling alternative to traditional Hold’em, offering faster gameplay and strategic twists that challenge even experienced players. With different probabilities and hand values, it rewards adaptability and sharp decision-making.
Ready to test your skills? Join BWINPH to experience Short Deck Hold’em and other exciting poker variants. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, this high-energy format is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.