Short Deck Poker, also known as 6+ Hold’em, has taken the poker world by storm with its fast-paced action, bigger pots, and thrilling hand dynamics. By removing cards ranked 2 through 5 from the deck, the game dramatically changes traditional poker strategies and creates more frequent big hands and dramatic swings, making it a favorite among high-stakes pros and casual players alike.

Fewer Cards, More Action

With only 36 cards in the deck, players are much more likely to make strong hands like straights, sets, or full houses. This leads to bigger pots and more aggressive play since players can’t just wait for premium hands — they’re hitting draws and strong holdings more often, which means more action at the table.

Hand Rankings Are Different

In Short Deck, some hand rankings change because of the missing cards. For example, a flush is rarer and therefore beats a full house — the opposite of standard Texas Hold’em. Players must adjust their understanding of hand strength, which adds a fresh strategic layer even for experienced poker players.

Higher Variance and Thrill Factor

The increased odds of big hands make Short Deck a high-variance game. Players experience Master Poker Malaysia bigger swings in chip stacks, which creates intense emotional highs and lows. This variance makes every hand exciting since fortunes can change dramatically with a single turn or river card.

More Equity Pre-Flop

Because of fewer cards, hands like suited connectors, small pairs, and broadway cards have higher equity pre-flop compared to standard Hold’em. This makes starting hand selection looser, encouraging more multiway pots and giving creative players opportunities to outplay their opponents.

Strategic Adaptations Are Required

Short Deck isn’t just about luck — adapting your ranges, understanding new odds, and recognizing different post-flop dynamics are key to success. For example, open-ended straight draws are much more powerful because straights are easier to hit, while top pair loses relative value due to opponents frequently making two pair or better.

Popularity Among Pros and Streamers

Short Deck has become a staple in many high-stakes cash games in Macau and streamed poker shows. Big names like Tom Dwan and Phil Ivey helped popularize the game, attracting audiences who love watching massive pots and unconventional strategies unfold.