Poker has been one of the most popular and beloved card games for centuries. It has evolved from its early days of being played with a simple deck of cards to becoming a competitive sport with high stakes and professional players. However, in recent years, a new variant of poker has been gaining immense popularity and shaking up the traditional poker scene – Short Deck Poker.

Short Deck Poker, also known as Six Plus Hold’em or Triton Poker, is a stripped-down version of Texas Hold’em. In this game, all cards below six are removed from the deck, leaving only 36 cards in play. This simple rule change may seem insignificant, but it drastically alters the dynamics of the game, making it more fast-paced and action-packed. As a result, Short Deck Poker has become the latest craze in the world of poker, attracting both casual and professional players alike.

In this article, we will take a deep dive into the world of Short Deck Poker and explore its origins, rules, strategies, and impact on the poker community. So sit back, grab your chips, and get ready for an exhilarating ride through the exciting world of Short Deck Poker.

History of Short Deck Poker

Short Deck Poker may seem like a new phenomenon, but it has been around for decades. Its roots can be traced back to Asia, specifically to Macau, where it first gained popularity in the early 2000s. Macau is known to be the Las Vegas of Asia, and it was here that the game was introduced by Richard Yong, a Malaysian businessman and avid poker player.

Yong often hosted high-stakes poker games in his apartment, and he wanted to spice things up by introducing a new variant of the game. He removed all the twos, threes, fours, and fives from the deck, leaving only the cards from six to ace. This resulted in a 36-card deck, which not only made the game more action-packed but also increased the likelihood of players hitting strong hands.

While Short Deck Poker might appear novel, it has actually been in existence for several decades

The game quickly gained popularity among the high-stakes players in Macau and became a staple in their private games. However, it wasn’t until 2015 that Short Deck Poker gained mainstream attention through the Triton Super High Roller Series, a high-stakes poker tournament held in Manila, Philippines. The tournament featured a Short Deck Poker event, and it caught the attention of the poker world, leading to its rise in popularity.

Rules of Short Deck Poker

Short Deck Poker follows similar rules to Texas Hold’em, with a few key differences. Here are the basic rules of Short Deck Poker:

Deck and Cards

As mentioned earlier, Short Deck Poker is played with a stripped-down deck of 36 cards, with all twos, threes, fours, and fives removed. The ranking of the cards remains the same as in traditional poker, with the ace being the highest-ranking card, followed by the king, queen, jack, ten, nine, eight, seven, and six.

Blinds and Antes

Like in Texas Hold’em, Short Deck Poker is played with blinds – small blind and big blind. However, due to the smaller deck, the ante is also used in Short Deck Poker. The ante is a forced bet that all players must pay before the cards are dealt. It ensures that there is always something to play for in each hand and increases the action at the table.

Betting Rounds

The betting rounds in Short Deck Poker are the same as in Texas Hold’em – pre-flop, flop, turn, and river. However, due to the smaller deck, the hand rankings and probabilities change, making the game more unpredictable and exciting. We will discuss these changes in more detail in the next section.

Hand Rankings

One of the significant differences between Short Deck Poker and Texas Hold’em is the hand rankings. In Short Deck Poker, the probability of hitting a strong hand increases due to the smaller deck. Therefore, the hand rankings are slightly adjusted to reflect this change. Here are the hand rankings in Short Deck Poker from highest to lowest:

1. Royal Flush
2. Straight Flush
3. Four of a Kind
4. Flush
5. Full House
6. Three of a Kind
7. Straight
8. Two Pair
9. One Pair
10. High Card (Ace-high, King-high, etc.)

One notable difference is that a flush beats a full house in Short Deck Poker, as it is harder to make a flush with only nine cards of each suit in the deck.

Straddle

A straddle is an optional bet that can be placed by the player to the left of the big blind before the cards are dealt. It is double the amount of the big blind and acts as a third blind, increasing the stakes and action at the table.

All-In Equity

Another significant difference between Short Deck Poker and Texas Hold’em is the all-in equity. In traditional poker, if a player goes all-in, they have a chance to win the entire pot, regardless of their cards. However, in Short Deck Poker, the player who goes all-in has a reduced chance of winning the pot due to the fewer cards in the deck. This adds another layer of complexity and strategy to the game.

Strategies for Winning at Short Deck Poker

Short Deck Poker may seem like a luck-based game due to the increased probabilities of hitting strong hands. However, like any other variant of poker, it requires skill, patience, and strategic thinking to succeed. Here are some strategies that can help you improve your chances of winning at Short Deck Poker:

Adjusting to the Shortened Deck

The most crucial strategy for success in Short Deck Poker is to adjust your game to the shortened deck. With fewer cards, the probabilities of hitting particular hands change, and it is vital to understand and adapt to these changes. For example, in traditional poker, there are 1,326 possible two-card combinations that a player can have in their hand. In Short Deck Poker, this number is reduced to 630, making premium hands like pocket pairs and high suited connectors more valuable.

Aggression is Key

In Short Deck Poker, aggression is key. The increased probability of hitting strong hands means that players need to be more aggressive and bet with confidence. This will not only help you build a pot when you have a strong hand, but it will also put pressure on your opponents, forcing them to make decisions based on limited information.

Bluff Less, Value Bet More

Due to the reduced deck size, bluffing becomes less effective in Short Deck Poker. Hence, it is essential to focus on value betting instead. As mentioned earlier, premium hands become more valuable in this variant, which means that players are more likely to call your bets with weaker hands. Therefore, it is essential to bet for value and extract as much money as possible from your opponent’s when you have a strong hand.

Position is Crucial

Just like in traditional poker, position is crucial in Short Deck Poker. Being in late position gives you an advantage as you have more information about your opponents’ actions before you make your decision. It also allows you to play more hands profitably since you have a better idea of what your opponents may be holding.

Understand Your Equity

Equity refers to the percentage of the pot that belongs to you at any given moment in the hand. In Short Deck Poker, your equity can change significantly with each new card dealt due to the smaller deck. Therefore, it is crucial to have a good understanding of your equity and how it changes with each card, allowing you to make informed decisions.

Be Selective in Your Starting Hands

In Short Deck Poker, it is essential to be more selective in your starting hands. With fewer cards in the deck, the value of certain hands changes, and some starting hands become less profitable. It is crucial to understand which hands are worth playing and which ones to fold pre-flop in this variant.

Impact of Short Deck Poker on the Poker Community

The rise of Short Deck Poker has had a significant impact on the poker community, both positive and negative. Let’s take a look at some of the effects this variant has had on the world of poker:

The emergence of Short Deck Poker has brought substantial effects to the poker community, encompassing both favorable and adverse outcomes

Increased Action and Excitement

One of the main reasons for the popularity of Short Deck Poker is the increased action and excitement it brings to the game. The shorter deck means that players are more likely to hit strong hands, resulting in bigger pots and more intense gameplay. This makes the game more thrilling and engaging for both players and spectators.

Attracting New Players

Short Deck Poker has attracted a new demographic of players to the game. Due to its fast-paced and action-packed nature, it appeals not only to traditional poker players but also to those who may not have been interested in the game before. This new influx of players has helped to grow the poker community and bring fresh energy to the game.

Changes in Gameplay and Strategy

The introduction of Short Deck Poker has caused a shift in gameplay and strategy among professional players. With the reduced deck, the probabilities and hand rankings change, making it necessary for players to adapt their strategies to succeed. As a result, many top players have started learning and incorporating Short Deck Poker into their repertoire.

Controversies and Criticisms

Like any other change or new development, Short Deck Poker has also faced its fair share of controversies and criticisms. Some traditionalists argue that it takes away the skill element of poker by relying too much on luck, while others believe that it goes against the fundamentals of the game. However, the majority of players and fans see it as an exciting new variant that adds a different dimension to the game.

Increased Prize Pools

Due to the excitement and popularity of Short Deck Poker, many high-stakes tournaments have started including it in their line-up. This has resulted in increased prize pools, with some tournaments offering multimillion-dollar payouts to the winners. As a result, more players are attracted to these tournaments, making them even more prestigious and competitive.

Conclusion

Short Deck Poker has taken the poker world by storm, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Its fast-paced and action-packed nature has made it a fan favorite, and it has gained immense popularity among both casual and professional players. With its simple rule change, Short Deck Poker has managed to breathe new life into the game and attract a new generation of players. It will be interesting to see how this variant continues to evolve and shape the world of poker in the years to come.