6+ Short Deck

Short Deck, or 6+, is an exciting variation of Texas Hold'em played with a reduced deck of cards. The game uses a 36-card deck, with the cards 2 through 5 removed (hence the name, “short deck” ). This creates more action by giving players better starting hands on average. Short Deck also has a unique ante system, where the dealer posts the big ante, while all other players post the small ante.

Antes and Dealing: At the start of the game, the dealer posts the big ante, and all other players post the small ante. The dealer then deals two personal cards face down to each player, and the first betting round begins.

Pre-Flop: The player to the left of the big ante starts the betting, and players can either call, raise, or fold. If a player raises, other players must match that bet to stay in the game. If a player folds, they forfeit their cards and their bets. The betting continues in a clockwise direction until all players have either folded or matched the highest bet.

Flop: Once the first betting round is over, the dealer reveals three community cards, known as the flop. Another round of betting takes place, starting with the player to the left of the dealer.

Turn: The dealer reveals the fourth community card, known as the turn. Another round of betting takes place, starting with the player to the left of the dealer.

River: The dealer reveals the fifth and final community card, known as the river. The last betting round takes place, starting with the player to the left of the dealer.

Showdown: If more than one player remains after the final betting round, they must show their cards to determine the winner. The player with the best five-card hand using their personal and community cards wins the pot.

Hand Rankings: Short Deck uses a slightly different hand ranking system than regular Texas Hold'em. Here are the hand rankings in Short Deck from highest to lowest:

1. Royal flush
2. Straight flush
3. Four of a kind
4. Flush
5. Full house
6. Straight
• Additionally, the ways a “straight” can be made in a short deck game differs from other popular poker variants. An ace can be used to complete the high end or the low end of a straight. For example, A 6 7 8 9 would be classed as a straight in short deck.
7. Three of a kind
8. Two pairs
9. One pair
10. High card

In Short Deck (6+), the hand rankings are slightly different from No Limit Hold'em. Flushes outrank full houses because the deck has fewer cards. This leads to an environment for more thrilling gameplay and bigger pots.