Short Deck Hold’em (6+) Rules | How to Play
Short Deck (also called 6+) is a fast version of Hold’em played with a 36-card deck. All twos, threes, fours and fives are removed, so the deck runs from 6 to Ace. This changes odds, betting dynamics, and hand strength. Below you’ll find the rules, the most common hand ranking order (including why flush beats full house), the “button blind + antes” structure, and simple strategies to start winning.
Short Deck Basics (What Changes)
- 36-card deck: Remove all 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s. Cards are 6–A.
- Same deal & board: 2 hole cards per player, 5 community cards (flop, turn, river).
- Antes + button blind: Most games use an ante from everyone, and the dealer posts a button blind that counts as a live bet.
- Hand rankings tweak: Because flushes are rarer, most rooms rank flush above full house.
- Ace flexibility: A can be high (…Q-K-A) or used low to complete the “wheel” straight variant (A-6-7-8-9).
Visual: Example Hole + Board
Your hole cards (example)
Community board (example)
Antes, Button Blind & Betting
Most Short Deck cash games use antes from every player and a button blind (the dealer posts an extra ante that acts like the live blind). This creates action because there’s more money in the middle before the flop. Betting is usually No Limit, just like Texas Hold’em.
| Element | How it works |
|---|---|
| Antes | Everyone posts an ante each hand; sometimes the ante is larger on the button. |
| Button Blind | The dealer posts a single blind that counts as a live bet; first action starts to the left of the button. |
| Betting Rounds | Preflop, Flop, Turn, River — same as Hold’em. |
| All-in | No Limit: you may bet any amount of your stack at any time on your turn. |
Note: Some home games still use blind structures. Always confirm local rules before you sit down.
Hand Rankings (Most Common Modern Order)
Because flushes are harder to make with fewer cards of each suit in a 36-card deck, many rooms use this order:
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Flush (beats full house in most modern Short Deck games)
- Full House
- Straight (usually beats Three of a Kind)
- Three of a Kind
- Two Pair
- One Pair
- High Card
Straights with a Short Deck (A can wrap)
With the 2–5 removed, straight patterns shift. You still need five cards in sequence, but the lowest common straight is often A-6-7-8-9 because Ace can play “below” a 6. The highest is still T-J-Q-K-A. Some rooms also allow A-7-8-9-10 as a wrap-around straight; again, confirm local rules. In general, straights appear more often than in full-deck Hold’em, so don’t overvalue one-pair hands.
How to Play — Step by Step
- Antes & button blind in: Each player posts an ante. The button posts an extra live ante (button blind). Cards are shuffled and dealt.
- Deal: Two hole cards to each player, face down.
- Preflop action: Starting from the first player left of the button, players can fold, call (to the button blind size), or raise (No Limit).
- Flop: Three community cards are dealt face up. Another betting round starts from the first active player left of the button.
- Turn: One more community card face up. Betting again.
- River: Final community card face up. Final betting round.
- Showdown: If called, hands are revealed. Best five-card hand wins according to the Short Deck ranking used at your table.
Short Deck plays like turbo Hold’em: more draws, more equities colliding, and bigger pots because of antes.
Starting Hands (What to Play)
- Broadway combos: A-K, A-Q, K-Q — suited is excellent. Top pairs make stronger kickers; suited gives flush equity.
- Suited connectors: J-T, T-9, 9-8 suited are powerful because straights and flushes come in often.
- Pairs: High pairs (A-A, K-K, Q-Q) are strong, but vulnerable; don’t slow-play too much on wet boards.
- Double-suited style doesn’t exist (2 hole cards), but suited is far more valuable than offsuit here.
- Avoid weak offsuit trash; with antes in play, aim for hands that flop equity on many boards.
Postflop Priorities
- Play for the nuts: Nut flushes and the top ends of straights matter more; second-best draws cost money.
- Count live outs: With fewer ranks, your draws are live more often; estimate if you can win even when called.
- Pressure with equity: Semi-bluff more; many flops give you pair + draw or two strong draws.
- Respect flushes: Since flush > full house in most rooms, don’t stack off lightly on paired, three-flush boards without the nut blocker.
Betting, Position & Sizing
- Position is king: Acting last lets you realize your equity and control pot size with draws.
- Open wider on the button: You already have money in; leverage your positional edge.
- Size up on wet boards: Large bets deny equity when many turn/river cards change the winner.
- Balance ranges: Mix value hands and strong draws in your betting lines to stay unpredictable.
Example Hands (Why Short Deck Is Action-Heavy)
Example 1 — Nut-draw pressure: You hold A♠ Q♠. Flop is J♠ T♠ 8♦. You have two overcards, an open-ender, and a nut-flush draw. Against a single pair, you have a ton of equity. This is a classic spot to bet big or raise and apply maximum pressure.
Example 2 — Don’t overplay one pair: You hold K♥ K♦. Flop is Q♣ J♦ 9♣. In Short Deck, this board smashes drawing ranges. Many turns beat a single pair. Control the pot unless you block key draws or improve.
Example 3 — Flush vs Full House: Board runs A♥ A♣ 9♥ | 7♥ | 2♥. You hold K♥ Q♠. In most Short Deck rooms, a flush beats a full house, so this river is a green light to value bet big when checked to.
Example 4 — Straights wrap differently: You hold A♦ 9♦. Board is 6♣ 7♠ 8♦. Any T or 5 gives someone a straight, and A-6-7-8-9 is also a valid straight in many rooms. Commit chips carefully when your straight might be at the lower end.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Playing offsuit junk: Suited and connected is where the money is. Offsuit hands miss too often.
- Overvaluing top pair: In Short Deck, draws are frequent and live. One pair rarely holds by showdown on wet textures.
- Forgetting local rankings: Always confirm whether your room plays flush > full house and whether straight > trips.
- Under-betting big draws: Don’t give cheap cards. Your equity is high — charge opponents to continue.
- Ignoring blockers: Holding the A of a suit blocks nut flushes; use that to bluff or value bet thinner.
Compare With Omaha & Hold’em
Short Deck borrows the feel of Hold’em but plays closer to Omaha in action level: more live draws, more flip-like spots, and bigger pots due to antes. If you’re new to community-card games, read the standard versions first:
Short Deck (6+) — FAQ
Why is flush ranked above full house?
With fewer cards per suit in a 36-card deck, flushes are statistically rarer than full houses, so many rooms rank flush higher. Always check your local rules.
Do all rooms use straight > trips?
Most modern games keep straight above three of a kind. Some older/alternative rules flip it. Ask the dealer before you start.
Is there always a button blind?
Most Short Deck cash games use antes from everyone and a live button blind to drive action. Some home games still use small/big blinds.
Can Ace play low for straights?
Yes. Ace can complete A-6-7-8-9 in many rooms. Confirm whether your venue allows other wrap-arounds.