Short Deck Poker Strategy Guide

Introduction to Short Deck

Short Deck poker is played with a 36-card deck, removing all 2s through 5s. This fundamental change creates more action and requires significant strategy adjustments from regular Hold’em.

Key Rule Differences

Aces can be high and low (A-6-7-8-9)

Flushes beat full houses

Three of a kind beats straights

Hand rankings are adjusted due to altered probabilities

Starting Hand Selection

Premium Hands (Always Play)

AA, KK, QQ

AK suited

JJ, TT

AK offsuit

AQ suited

Strong Hands (Usually Play)

99, 88, 77

AQ offsuit

AJ suited

KQ suited

KJ suited

Playable Hands (Position Dependent)

66

AT suited/offsuit

KT suited

QJ suited

JT suited

Preflop Strategy

Position Play

Early Position

Play only premium hands

Consider limping more than in regular Hold’em

Avoid marginal hands

Middle Position

Widen range slightly

Can play more suited connectors

Look for opportunities to isolate limpers

Late Position

Most aggressive position

Can play wide range of suited connectors

Take advantage of limped pots

Sizing Guidelines

Open raises: 2.5-3x the big blind

3-bets: 2.5-3x the original raise

4-bets: 2.2-2.5x the 3-bet

Post-flop Strategy

Flop Play

Connected Board Textures

Bet smaller on draw-heavy boards

Consider multiple street betting plans

Be cautious with single pair hands

Disconnected Boards

Bet larger to protect equity

Can be more aggressive with top pair

Look for opportunities to bluff

Turn Play

When You Have Initiative

Continue betting with strong hands

Consider pot control with marginal hands

Look for opportunities to bluff catch

When Facing Aggression

Be more willing to call with draws

Consider stack sizes for future decisions

Pay attention to opponent tendencies

River Play

Value Betting

Size up with strong hands

Consider opponent’s range

Be aware of improved draws

Bluffing

Choose spots where opponent’s range is capped

Consider blocker effects

Pay attention to bet sizing tells

Mathematical Adjustments

Equity Calculations

Draws are more valuable

Straights are more common

Sets are relatively stronger

Flushes are harder to make

Pot Odds

Drawing to Straights

Higher probability than regular Hold’em

More likely to be profitable calls

Consider implied odds

Flush Draws

Lower probability than regular Hold’em

Need better pot odds to call

Strong when made due to hand ranking

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overvaluing Small Pairs

Less likely to improve

Vulnerable to overcards

Consider position carefully

Undervaluing Suited Hands

Flushes beat full houses

Strong drawing potential

Good multiway potential

Playing Too Tight

Game is more action-oriented

More opportunities for draws

Higher implied odds

Incorrect Hand Reading

Different hand rankings

Changed probabilities

New drawing possibilities

Tournament vs. Cash Game Strategy

Tournament Adjustments

Early Stages

Play tighter than cash games

Build stack gradually

Avoid marginal spots

Middle Stages

Look for spots to accumulate

Pressure medium stacks

Consider ICM implications

Late Stages

Adjust to prize structure

Consider stack sizes carefully

Be aware of bubble dynamics

Cash Game Strategy

Deep Stack Play

More room for creativity

Can play more speculative hands

Focus on maximizing value

Short Stack Play

Tighter preflop ranges

More straightforward decisions

Look for spots to get it in good

Bankroll Management

Cash Games

Higher variance than regular Hold’em

Need larger bankroll

Suggested: 40-50 buy-ins

Tournaments

Even higher variance

Consider larger buffer

Suggested: 100+ buy-ins

Advanced Concepts

Range Construction

Preflop Ranges

More condensed than regular Hold’em

Focus on high cards

Consider blockers

Post-flop Ranges

More draws possible

Different value hierarchy

Consider removal effects

Exploitative Adjustments

Against Tight Players

Increase bluff frequency

Take advantage of folds

Press small edges

Against Loose Players

Value bet thinner

Reduce bluff frequency

Exploit calling stations

Conclusion

Success in Short Deck requires understanding the fundamental differences from regular Hold’em and adjusting strategy accordingly. Focus on:

Adapted hand rankings

Modified probabilities

Aggressive play in position

Strong draw consideration

Proper bankroll management

Remember that the game is more volatile and action-oriented than regular Hold’em. Maintain discipline and be prepared for larger swings.