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Short deck poker is a new and exciting variant of poker that has exploded in popularity in the past few years. It originated in Macau’s high roller poker rooms, and is now being played at a number of online sites.
The game is played like traditional hold’em, with players receiving two cards and the dealer button rotating around the table. Once a bet has been made, players can fold, match the second ante, or raise.
A short deck is similar to a standard 52-card deck, but the deuces and threes are removed. The deck is 36 cards long instead of the traditional 52, and the odds of winning hands increase significantly.
Hand Rankings & Odds
The odds in short deck poker are completely different from those in Texas Hold’em, so it may be difficult for you to get the hang of it at first. However, if you’re able to adapt your strategy and play a few hands at a time, you should have no trouble winning some money.
This is especially true if you’re playing the shorter version of the game, which uses only 36 cards from a standard 52-card deck and ranks straights and sets above three-of-a-kind. The shorter deck also impacts how much you can call or raise, so make sure to check the rules before you start playing.
Pocket Problems – Because there are more draws in short deck, big pocket pairs can be weakened by them. Suited and connecting hands can become more powerful and you may have to ditch your big pocket pairs in order to succeed at the tables.
Board Textures – In this type of poker, the board texture is very important and it can make a significant difference to your overall win rate. It’s also important to pay attention to the flop, turn, and river since they can all contribute to your chances of improving your hand.
Betting Big – Equities run a lot closer in short deck poker, so it’s important to bet big when you have a strong but vulnerable hand. This can put a lot of pressure on your opponent and will also prevent you from losing to a weaker hand.
The Short Deck Poker Rules – While the rules of short deck poker are different from those of regular Texas Hold’em, they are still very similar. You should remember that the betting decision will always be based on the previous player’s action, so if someone else has folded or raised already, there won’t be enough options for you to decide.
A flop straight is the best possible hand in short deck poker. The odds are 17% higher than in a regular Texas Hold’em game, and the chances of hitting a set are even better at 17% compared to 5.9 percent in Hold’em.
Draws – In short deck poker, you have a higher chance of drawing to a pair of aces or pocket kings than in Hold’em, so it’s important to use those draws as often as possible. This way, you’ll be able to improve your hand on the flop and turn without putting too much money in the pot.