Short Deck Hold'em... The myths behind the game and strategy to give yourself an edge

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JustSoPro

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Several well known players on the Poker scene have been promoting Short Deck Hold'em with Phil Ivey claiming the game "suits a more gambling style of player", which I would agree with as the variance in this game is much, much higher, but with proper bank roll management and use of the strategies I will discuss, the game is beatable just like Texas Hold'em and Omaha.

First off, I can't stress how important bank roll management is when playing this game, without proper bank roll management you will more likely than not find yourself on the wrong side of variance before you know it. When playing Texas Hold'em, the ideal bank roll is 50 max buy-ins (Usually 500BBs or 50 tournament entries). With the increased variance in Short Deck Hold'em, I'd increase that to 58.5-60 max buy-ins(585-600 BBs or 58.5-60 tournament entries) due to the 17% increase in variance(if you thought Texas Hold'em's variance was bad, bless your soul if you play this game).

Well... What are the differences in this game compared to Texas Hold'em and how do they affect how the game is played?

The differences:

All cards 2-5 are removed from the deck making it a 36 card deck

-Outs are now worth 51.6% more when calculating equity

-Flush draws now only have 5 outs

-The new low straight is A6789

Flushes beat full houses

Preflop

Top Tier hands

-JTs

--TT, T9s, QJs, QTs

--JJ

--QJo, QTo, KTs, QQ, KJs, 99, T9s, J9s

--KQs, KK

--KTo, JTo, KJo, AA, T8s, T9o

--J9o, KQo, Q9s, ATs+

Bottom Tier hands

-66 is the WORST hand(myth busted that J6o is the worst hand.)

-x6o
 
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JustSoPro

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https://www.cardschat.com/editpost.php?do=editpost&p=4392375What makes JTs the best hand in this variant of poker?

JTs is one of the BEST hands to bluff with, and you should always TRY to see a flop with the hand as the flop will quickly put your hand into perspective.
The only straight draw you don't block is the low A6789.
This hand will have outs against almost any hand(Quads with straight flush blocker, higher flush with straight flush blocker, and full house with 0% flush chance are the only time you will be TOO far behind on the flop).
Without seeing a flop, you have a 27.7-27.8% chance of hitting a straight or flush by the river.
If you flop an open ended straight flush, you have a 57% chance of hitting a straight or flush by the river, a gut shot straight flush or open ended straight has a 43.1% chance of hitting by the river.(21.7% chance for gutshot straight, 27.3% chance for a flush draw)
Even though full houses are more likely in this variant, it is harder to play pocket pairs aggressively as they have much fewer outs than most of the other premium hands and you generally can't tell if your hand is actually "Winning".

How to play the second tier of top short deck hands(TT, T9s, QTs, and QJs)
TT
-The strength of TT comes from blocking straight draws almost every straight draw(Excluding the A6789)
-DO NOT play this hand aggressively just because a T comes up on the flop...

Ideal flops for TT
---T/T/X
----You have the best hand at this point, feel free to check it and put the action on your opponents, but I would try to value bet here. If you get a call, bet more aggressively on turn/river as your opponent probably has a full house or is now on a straight/flush draw.
--6/T/J+
--7/T/Q+
--8/T/K+
--9/T/A
--X/X/T(Where X is any board pair)
---With all of these flops, you are ahead of everything except an open ended straight flush and a set of J's+. As long as the flop isn't all of the same suit, bet aggressively due to the high variance of the game(You should be trying to get draws to fold, top pair or two pairs to call).
---If all three cards are of the same suit and you aren't blocking the flush with either of your T's, it's pretty much time to fold. If you are blocking the flush, feel a little more to raise/call as long as you have a read on your opponents style of play.
-J/Q/K
-9/J/Q
-8/9/J
--Your hand is only slightly average in this case, you are blocking straight draws and are on an open ended draw yourself(43% chance of hitting your draw).

T9s (The nut straight blocker, blocker for EVERY straight)
---6/7/8(Same suit as T9)
---7/8/J(Same suit as T9)
---J/Q/K(Same suit as T9)
----These are your DREAM boards, your opponents have 0 outs so check or value bet based on your opponents. If they are often aggressive/try to steal pots, check here. If they tend check/call until they hit their draws, value bet here.
----Assuming you get calls, if another card of the same suit comes up or the board has a "Gutter" or open ended straight draw, now is the time to start betting more aggressively. Get calls from players who think they have better hands (Higher straight, A high flush, etc)
----If they called you on the turn, feel free to push ATLEAST a pot sized bet on the river, chances like these don't come around often so it's time to cash out.
--7/8/J
--8/J/Q
---Rainbow board
----You've got the best hand here, but as variance is high in this game you should be betting aggressively here, at least two thirds of the pot(I would be pot-pot*1.5 if I don't have a good read on my opponent), a lot of cards can change the best hand so make your opponent pay if they want to gamble.
-----If the turn comes an A, K, Q, T, 9, or the board pairs up... prepare to throw your hand away here...(Unless you have a read on your opponent)
-----If the turn comes up a 6(or 7 if flop was 8/J/Q), pop another pot sized or better bet. If their is now a flush draw on the board, shove your stack to take the pot down here(no matter the suit). The only hand that beats your equity here would be the same suit straight on the flush draw.
---Three of the same suit
----Same suit as your cards? If so, check or value bet here. Your opponent has 0% equity at this point, let them hit their draws.
-----Turn comes up same suit or makes the board a "Gutshot" or open ended straight? Bet more aggressively here, maybe two thirds to a full pot bet. If you get re-raised here, push half to all of your remaining stack(Depending on how you read your opponent) into the pot.
------River? Well... Hands like these only come once in a lifetime right? Push the remaining of your stack into the pot and thank your opponent for their money once they call with A high flush or the nut straight.
---Two of the same suit
----Your suit? Play somewhat aggressively, at least a half pot bet if not a full pot bet here. If your opponent is on a flush draw they have an 18.7% chance of hitting it due to your blockers.
-----Turn comes up a third of the suit? Read your opponent, you DON'T have that high of a flush(Unless you hit the straight flush) so if you feel like your opponent has a flush, it's best to fold here.
-----Turn gives you a straight flush? Feel free to bet aggressively here, your opponent has at best 1 out(3.33% Equity) as only ONE higher straight flush can be hit. Size your bet knowing you will be pushing all in on the river no matter the card, if you get re-raised here push all in.
-----Turn comes up a 9 or T? Probably best to fold here, but if you've got a read on your opponent feel free to call/check down.
--T/T/9
--9/9/T
---Rainbow? You have a boat here and are only behind 99, TT. Feel free to bet fairly aggressively, chances are your opponents are on straight draws so try to sell your hand as trips, you want to get over pairs to fold at this point.
---Two of the same suit?
----Your suit? Overbet here(1.2-1.5x pot), you have 2 of the 5 remaining outs for a flush, keep the bet high so they pay but know you WANT them to still call if they have a high flush draw(AXs) or a straight flush draw.
-----River turns three of the same suit(10% chance)? It's time to fold here, call it a cooler.
----Other suit? Shove all in.(You have little to no equity vs quads, call them a cooler.)
--T/T/X
--9/9/X
---Your opponent may have boated up but is more likely to be on a straight draw. I don't like checking here due to how likely draws are to hit so I would look to get a few opponents out of the hand. Looking for a mid sized bet(more than value, not full pot) to see where your opponents are at. If you get re-raised, consider folding here as your equity is likely 21.7% or less(3.3% if X > 10).
----Turn comes 9 or T
-----Rainbow board?
------Boated up? Play more aggressively here, the only hand that people are ahead of you on is pocket X's. A couple of your opponents are probably on draws, so don't be afraid to throw a 3 quarter to full pot bet out here.
-------River?
--------No flush draws? You can value bet here, someone more than likely not hit a straight draw so don't be afraid to value bet here. I'd only fold to a 3x+ re-raise unless I have a different read on my opponent.
--------Flush draw on the board? Time to check then call/fold depending on your read of opponent, you only beat straights and smaller boats here.
------Quads? Your EV is 96.7% but you DON'T want to scare off draws here. Unless your opponent is super passive, the best move here will be to trap them, do NOT re-raise here.
-------River? Value bet here(Unless you KNOW your opponent hit their draw(3 of same suit now on board? 4/5 cards for a straight on the board?) at which point you can over bet the pot, as your opponent may think they have the best hand here).
-A/9/T
--Rainbow? You flopped two pair, but only the bottom two pair. You have a 21.7% chance of boating up by the river, but any and EVERY other card you see will lower the value of your hand. Overbet here with intention of getting your opponents to fold(If your opponents are very lose, consider check/folding here with two pair).
--Two of the same suit? It's probably time to fold here, you are behind a lot of hands. This hand gains more value vs less opponents so if you had only one-to-two pre flop callers, feel free to play it aggressively if you know how your opponents play.
--Three of the same suit? Check/fold unless you are heads up. If it's heads up, throw a value bet out to see where your opponent is(He should fold ONLY if he has no cards of that suit). If he calls/raises, it's probably time to fold.
 
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I can't edit the other thread for what ever reason, so I had to.
 
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Hi! Is this copied from another source?
 
ddg373

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this game sounds a bit more challenging, are their any sites promoting/offering it now? this is some good information
 
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this game sounds a bit more challenging, are their any sites promoting/offering it now? this is some good information


I looked around online and the only thing I could find is that iPoker network and BET365 are(or at least were) offering this game. I am American so I cannot confirm whether or not they still are offering it, but if someone could that would be greatly appreciated.
 
Spaceman

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Can't help to not post again Tom Dwan's video explaining short deck or Six Plus Hold'em as it called, since your other thread deleted.


From a quick search, I found out Coral Poker and william hill also offer that game. But I can't really confirm it since I only have a pokerstars account.
 
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Made an error in my math when it comes to full house draws, so disregard my feedback related to them until I submit my next edit.
 
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aimbotchris

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Very interesting stuff. Would love to see your analysis of the other starting hands/short deck in general.
 
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I am little confused... is this strategy for version where straight beats three of kind? When you look on videos from Tritons room they played with straight>trips but mathematicaly is harder hit trips then straight and for example ACR uses rules with trips>straight
 
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Short deck "straight>trips" and SD "trips>straight" will be very different games. In my opinion...
In this game you can cut your "standard" opening range and you will play the same VPIP/PFR. But the people don't know that. And they play half of the hands. And there is your advantage. Your profit...
But hands , like Ajo, KQo, are not so good any more. Hands only for "steal". Must be fold on MP. Depends on the rules for the game, your range must be with more connected cards (suited) or with less (more pocket pairs and suited Aces). I mean for UTG and MP. But for CO, BU, SB same "rules". For over limp also. You can play even with open limp. Because the smaller fold equity.
 
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Also JT, T9 and 98 are the only "real" connectors. In the "normal" game, as you know, this is 54, 65, 76, 87, 89, 98, T9, JT. Much more. And any Ace can make a straight with two cards (in 6+). In "normal"Six Plus (trips>straight), I will play always a pocket pair, suited Ace. Actually this is 14% range. Only this hands.


Hands , like QJs, 87s, 98s, are not so good for me.
 
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UkoChebuko

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66 is the WORST hand(myth busted that J6o is the worst hand.)
I don't understand this. Why is that? For me 66 is better, than AQo. J6o...:D. And obv AQo is better, than J6o. if you talk about staright>set, OK, 66 is not so good hand any more. But imo still better, than J6o.
 
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timz10

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6+

Several well known players on the Poker scene have been promoting Short Deck Hold'em with Phil Ivey claiming the game "suits a more gambling style of player", which I would agree with as the variance in this game is much, much higher, but with proper bank roll management and use of the strategies I will discuss, the game is beatable just like Texas Hold'em and Omaha.




First off, I can't stress how important bank roll management is when playing this game, without proper bank roll management you will more likely than not find yourself on the wrong side of variance before you know it. When playing Texas Hold'em, the ideal bank roll is 50 max buy-ins (Usually 500BBs or 50 tournament entries). With the increased variance in Short Deck Hold'em, I'd increase that to 58.5-60 max buy-ins(585-600 BBs or 58.5-60 tournament entries) due to the 17% increase in variance(if you thought Texas Hold'em's variance was bad, bless your soul if you play this game).




Well... What are the differences in this game compared to Texas Hold'em and how do they affect how the game is played?




The differences:

All cards 2-5 are removed from the deck making it a 36 card deck

-Outs are now worth 51.6% more when calculating equity

-Flush draws now only have 5 outs

-The new low straight is A6789

Flushes beat full houses




Preflop




Top Tier hands

-JTs

--TT, T9s, QJs, QTs

--JJ

--QJo, QTo, KTs, QQ, KJs, 99, T9s, J9s

--KQs, KK

--KTo, JTo, KJo, AA, T8s, T9o

--J9o, KQo, Q9s, ATs+

Bottom Tier hands

-66 is the WORST hand(myth busted that J6o is the worst hand.)

-x6o
first off 66 not worst hand all pocket pairs strong a set beets straight ill tear u up with my 66 hade 4 of a kind 6 to ten tims with 66 or 77:evil:
 
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timz10

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Also JT, T9 and 98 are the only "real" connectors. In the "normal" game, as you know, this is 54, 65, 76, 87, 89, 98, T9, JT. Much more. And any Ace can make a straight with two cards (in 6+). In "normal"Six Plus (trips>straight), I will play always a pocket pair, suited Ace. Actually this is 14% range. Only this hands.


Hands , like QJs, 87s, 98s, are not so good for me.
i allways play pockets to flop or all way if checked all pairs r good played 10 thousand hands just watch flop ak can loose alot but good if flop good almost allways a straight flush is about 30 percent most will ignore 3 on bourd cause alot no one has 4 on bourd is diff:cool:
 
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timz10

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I am little confused... is this strategy for version where straight beats three of kind? When you look on videos from Tritons room they played with straight>trips but mathematicaly is harder hit trips then straight and for example ACR uses rules with trips>straight
in 6+ straight is easy to get most hands someone will or at least could have had if not folded so assume if poss to get they got straight heck iv had 3 royals in 10.000 hands never had one 100.000 hands holdem:rolleyes:
 
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timz10

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I looked around online and the only thing I could find is that iPoker network and BET365 are(or at least were) offering this game. I am American so I cannot confirm whether or not they still are offering it, but if someone could that would be greatly appreciated.
u can play acr thats where im at look for u at tabels 6+:cool::icon_cat:
 
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timz10

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Also JT, T9 and 98 are the only "real" connectors. In the "normal" game, as you know, this is 54, 65, 76, 87, 89, 98, T9, JT. Much more. And any Ace can make a straight with two cards (in 6+). In "normal"Six Plus (trips>straight), I will play always a pocket pair, suited Ace. Actually this is 14% range. Only this hands.


Hands , like QJs, 87s, 98s, are not so good for me.
i dont normaly play 87 98 i will QJ all A/anything pocket pairs win most cash lots of times its 66 77 88 99 those go un noticed when A K ON BOARD if both your cards dont play bet low u prob loose
 
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UkoChebuko

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"Straight beats trips" is so much different. In my room have changed the rules. The straight is stronger now. Totally different game. Limp only, playing for straight with connected cards. The people still play for set and flush. You have huge edge, but the rake is also huge. 30 blinds for 100 hands and more.
Sorry for my English...
 
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