The best online poker sites offer players an exciting range of poker variants for cash games and tournaments, including classics like Texas Hold’em, seven-card stud, and Omaha. However, there are lesser-known poker variants, including short deck poker. 

What is Short Deck Poker?

Short deck poker refers to any variant of poker that removes cards from the standard 52-card deck. One of the most popular takes on this idea is short deck hold’em, also known as six-plus hold’em. In this variant, the dealer removes all the twos, threes, fours, and fives from the deck, leaving only 36 cards in play. 

For the most part, the rules for how to play short deck poker are the same as in regular hold’em poker. The game requires at least two people to play, but can include as many as 10, depending on whether you are playing a full ring or shorthanded poker game. The standard rules of each option apply, but since the twos through fives are removed from the deck, straights look different because the ace remains both the highest- and lowest-value card. 

For example, the lowest-value straight in a full-deck game would be 5-4-3-2-A, while the lowest-value straight in short deck poker would be 9-8-7-6-A.

This variant has been popular in Asia for many years, but only recently has interest in short deck poker grown in Europe and the U.S.

The Short Deck Poker Hand Rankings

Even though players use a smaller deck, most of the poker hand rankings guide applies. However, two hands exchange positions due to the removal of cards: the flush and the full house. This is because there are four fewer cards per suit to make a flush, making it harder to hit.

From strongest to weakest, here are the short deck poker hand rankings:

• Royal flush: A-K-Q-J-T, all of the same suit.
• Straight flush: Five cards of consecutive value, all of the same suit.
• Four of a kind: Four cards of the same value, one of each suit.
• Flush: All five cards from the same suit.
• Full house: Three cards of the same value and two cards of another value, essentially three of a kind and a pair.
• Straight: Five cards of consecutive value of different suits.
• Three of a kind: Three cards of the same value but different suits.
• Two pair: Two cards of the same value combined with another pair. 
• Pair: Two cards of the same value.
• High card: The highest value single card in a player’s hand.

Generally, in short deck poker,  it’s harder to land three of a kind because there are fewer cards from which to choose. People also still play with a straight ranked higher in some cases, usually in high-stakes private games, or simply keep normal Texas Hold’em rules in place.

Lastly, due to the removal of the lower-value cards, remember that short deck players have a greater chance of hitting high-value hands.

Quick Tips for Short Deck Poker

There are several strategic changes you must make when playing short deck poker, as well as in other unfamiliar poker variants. Here are three quick tips that you can take advantage of:

1. Remember, You Have a Greater Chance of Hitting Your Outs on the Flop

In a typical game of Texas Hold’em, there are starting hands you’ll never play into the flop because of their low chances of winning. However, due to the fact that there are fewer cards in short deck poker, you have a greater chance of putting together higher-value hands postflop.

2. Limp into the Flop

If you don’t have the nuts, consider limping into the flop. Since so many players will want to see what the flop offers, they’ll likely follow your lead.

3. Don’t Try to Bully People with Strong Pocket Pairs

As a result of more people playing to hit outs on the flop, a strong starting pair doesn’t have the same leverage in short deck poker as it does in other variants. So remember, while it may be tempting to try bullying people with a strong starting pair in Texas Hold’em, this isn’t a great idea in short deck poker.

Play Popular Poker Variants at BetMGM

If you’re interested in playing the most popular poker variants, register to play poker with real money at BetMGM Poker for cash games and competitive poker tournaments. While short deck poker strategy may not apply to games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha, some of the general skills will come in handy nonetheless. And don’t forget to use the BetMGM online poker welcome bonus to make the most of your first deposit.