Short deck Hold’em, also known as six-plus Hold’em, is a popular variant of Texas Hold’em that has gained significant popularity in recent years. In this article, we will provide an in-depth guide to the rules of short deck Hold’em.
Short deck Hold’em is played with a deck of 36 cards instead of the standard 52-card deck. The game removes all the cards from 2 through 5, which leaves only the cards from 6 through Ace in the deck. The game is usually played with a maximum of six players.
The objective of the game is the same as traditional Texas Hold’em – to make the best possible five-card hand using the two hole cards and five community cards.
The game starts with each player receiving two hole cards face down. The betting starts with the player to the left of the dealer and goes clockwise around the table. The player can choose to either call the big blind, raise, or fold.
After the first betting round is complete, three community cards are dealt face-up on the table, known as the flop. The betting starts with the first active player to the left of the dealer button. The player can check or bet.
Once the second betting round is complete, a fourth community card is dealt, known as the turn. The third betting round starts with the first active player to the left of the dealer button. The player can check, bet, or fold.
Finally, a fifth and final community card is dealt, known as the river. The fourth and final betting round starts with the first active player to the left of the dealer button. The player can check, bet, or fold.
If more than one player remains after the final betting round, the players must show their hands to determine the winner. The player with the best five-card hand using two of their hole cards and three of the community cards wins the pot.
In short deck Hold’em, some of the rules of traditional Texas Hold’em change due to the reduced number of cards in the deck. For example, a flush is considered to be a stronger hand than a full house. This is because with fewer cards in the deck, it is more difficult to make a flush than a full house.
Additionally, aces can be used to create a low straight – A-6-7-8-9. This hand is considered a straight, not a flush, and is lower in value than a regular straight. This is because the ace is being used as a low card, and there are fewer cards in the deck, making it more difficult to make a straight.
In conclusion, short deck Hold’em is a popular and exciting variant of Texas Hold’em. The game is played with a reduced deck of 36 cards, and the rules of traditional Texas Hold’em change slightly due to the reduced number of cards in the deck. With its unique rules and strategy, short deck Hold’em is a fun and exciting challenge for poker players of all levels.
