The Short Deck Poker is a form of Texas Hold’em played using a smaller deck of cards. It is sometimes called 6-plus Hold’em due to specific alterations that created the game’s dynamics. Playing this game with a 52-card deck would require taking out all 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s, leaving only a 36-card deck, hence the name Short Deck Poker or 6-plus poker.
The reduced number of cards, however, affects hand rankings. Achieving high-ranking hands can be quite tricky. Even a flush becomes more challenging to form than a full house and straight outranks a three-of-a-kind.
In this casino news, we will discuss Short Deck Holdem poker, its origin, and how it differs from classic poker games.
Shift Gears and Rev Up Your Poker Skills With Short Deck Poker
Short Deck Poker originated in Asia and gained popularity in high-stakes cash casino games and tournaments. The game’s roots can be traced back to cash games in Macau, where players started experimenting with removing the lower cards from the deck to create a faster-paced, more action-packed variant of the famously known Texas Hold’em. However, Paul Phua and Richard Yong took the first strokes to this modification and invented the Short Deck poker. The motive was to create a new version of a poker game for beginners, so they could get a better chance at winning.
The game made its way to the global gambling scene in 2010 and has since been incredibly popular in Australia and among high-roller gamblers in Asia. In 2015, Phil Ivey and Tom Dwan recorded themselves playing the game and shared it on social media, further skyrocketing its popularity. Today, it has attracted high-roller gamblers not just in Macau, Manila, and Hong Kong but also in the United States and Las Vegas, where various types of poker games are played.
Exciting Format With a Higher Frequency of Flushes and Full Houses
Typically, short-deck poker works like Texas Hold’em. It has similar poker terminology, but its gameplay comes with a twist. The uniqueness of this game is caused by trimming down the 52-card deck to just 36 cards. Take out all 2s through 5s, and you’ll have a short deck where 6 becomes the lowest card. Also, ante bets are used instead of blinds.
In short deck poker, there are two antes. The first is done before the cards are dealt, with each player contributing a specific amount. The second ante comes in during play from the button player. Betting proceeds in rounds, starting to the left of the button, just like in regular Texas Hold’em.
If you’ve ever played Texas Hold’em in a free poker online game, you’d see that Aces serve as both high and low. Short Deck poker has a striking resemblance to that, with the lowest possible straight being A-6-7-8-9. Also, the Short Deck poker features four streets of betting: pre-flop, flop, turn, and river, similar to regular Hold’em. However, there are some significant differences to the game you ought to be aware of before staking your at it.
Secure your standard poker strategy with our casino guide. Dominate your poker games and try new variants.
Short Deck Poker vs Classic Games
Short Deck Hold’em differs from other poker games like Texams Hold’edm, Mississippi Stud Poker, etc., in several key ways:
Deck Composition
In Short Hold’em, the deck is reduced by removing all cards 2 through 5, leaving 36 cards instead of the standard 52. This significantly alters hand rankings and probabilities. The lowest possible straight hand in Texas Hold ’em is A-2-3-4-5, whereas, in short deck poker, it is A-6-7-8-9.
Hand Rankings in Short Deck Poke
Due to the reduced deck, the hand rankings in Short Deck Hold’em are adjusted. Flushes beat full houses, and a set (three of a kind) beats a straight. This leads to more action and aggressive play, as players are likelier to hit strong hands.
Short Deck Poker Starting Hand Values
With fewer cards in the deck, starting hand values change. Players are more likely to be dealt strong hands or form them too quickly, such as pairs, suited connectors, and Broadway cards (10 through Ace).
Experience Poker at Warp Speed
Whether live or in an online casino setting, Short Deck Poker offers several appealing features, including a reduced number of cards, increased likelihood of strong hands, and improved odds of winning. However, these alterations have changed the game’s dynamics and strategic depth, leading experienced poker players to prefer the classic Texas Hold’em. Nevertheless, this variant can appeal to beginners who want to play casino games free versions of their favorite standard games, if they are played in a demo version.
Visit Vegas Aces Casino to play poker games online and many other table games.
Stay in the loop – follow us on social media! Get behind-the-scenes access, special offers, and more. Join now!
