What Are the Rules for Short Deck Poker?

Short Deck Poker is a variation of poker that is played with a deck of 36 cards, instead of the traditional 52 card deck. The game is also known as Six Plus Hold’em, and was created by Australian poker player Andrew Robl.

The game is played with a button and blinds, just like regular Hold’em, but the big blind is equal to the small blind, and the small blind is half of the big blind. The ante is also half of the big blind.

The reason for this is that there are only 36 cards in the deck, so the pots grow much faster.

The biggest difference in Short Deck Poker is the hand rankings. Because there are only 36 cards in the deck, certain hand rankings are different than in regular Hold’em.

For example, a flush beats a full house, and three of a kind beats a straight.

Here are all the hand rankings in Short Deck Poker, from highest to Lowest:

PRO TIP:Short Deck Poker is a variant of Texas Hold’em where the card deck is cut down to 36 cards. To win, players must make the best 5-card hand using any combination of their 2 hole cards and the 5 community cards. There are a few key differences between Short Deck Poker and traditional Texas Hold’em, including different rules for flushes, straights, 3-of-a-kinds and 4-of-a-kinds. Additionally, hands like full houses are ranked differently in Short Deck Poker than in regular Texas Hold’em. Before playing Short Deck Poker make sure to familiarize yourself with all the rules and strategies so you can maximize your chances of winning.

Royal Flush: A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit.
Ace-High Flush: Five cards of the same suit, with an Ace as the highest card.
King-High Flush: Five cards of the same suit, with a King as the highest card.
Queen-High Flush: Five cards of the same suit, with a Queen as the highest card.
Jack-High Flush: Five cards of the same suit, with a Jack as the highest card.
Flush: Any five cards of the same suit.
Full House: Three cards of one rank, plus two cards of another rank. For example, three Aces and two Kings.
Four of a Kind: Four cards of one rank.

For example, four Kings.
Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit. For example, 5-6-7-8-9 of Hearts.
Three of a Kind: Three cards of one rank. For example, three Queens.
Straight: Five consecutive cards of any suits. For example, 9-10-J-Q-K
Two Pair: Two sets of two cards with different ranks . For example , Aces and Queens . .

In Short Deck Poker , as in all forms poker , betting occurs in rounds . Between each round , players have an opportunity to trade in some or all their chips for an equal amount cash .

The game begins with each player being dealt two face downcards . The player to dealer’s left starts betting round one , which continues clockwise until it reaches dealer . All other players fold their hands , call match bet or raise .

When final player has acted , dealer then reveals their two holecards . If any player has made bet , dealer must either call match that bet or fold their hand .

Once again , starting with player to dealer’s left and continuing clockwise around table , each player has opportunity to check ( meaning they don’t need make any bet this round ), bet or raise if another player has already bet during current round , or fold their hand . When final player has acted dealer then reveals their holecards and best five card poker hand using any combination holecards community cards wins pot . If more than one player has same hand ranking then pot is split evenly between them.