Short Deck Poker Starting Hand Rankings

• Short Deck Poker Starting Hand Rankings Chart
• Starting Hand Ranking Holdem
• Poker Card Hand Rankings

Bellow is the hand ranking used in many poker sites, like Pokerstars and Partypoker, that was also used in the 2019 World Series Of Poker, Short Deck No-Limit Hold’em event. Keep in mind that the ranking used is not the same in all poker sites and casinos, so you must be careful! Modified Hand Rankings. 888 Poker 888 Poker is our #1 recommended poker site for beginner poker players, as well as casual poker players.This excellent poker site attracts a lot of recreational players, so the poker games at 888 are typically much easier than on other online poker sites. Six Plus Hold’em (6+), also called Short Deck Poker, is a community card poker game based on Texas Hold’em.While most of the rules are the same, there are three main differences between the two. In 6+ Hold’em, the cards from deuces through fives are removed to make the total deck. Ever since the early days of Texas holdem poker, players have attempted to analyze and organize the 169 possible two card starting hands found in the game. One traditional way of doing so involves running thousands upon thousands of simulations in which a particular holdem hand is played out against nine random opponent hands. In Six Plus Hold’em, also known as “Short Deck”, the amount of cards in the game is reduced and the hand ranking adjusted. The cards 2 to 5 are removed making it a 36-card deck, that leads to a whole new dynamic with more action guaranteed.

One of the games that have seen a flurry of interest over the last few months is Six Plus Hold’em, also referred to as Short Deck Poker.

Six Plus Hold’em is an exciting and fun poker variant based on Texas Hold’em where the game is played with a deck of 36 cards as opposed to the usual 52 cards in traditional hold’em. Deuces through fives are removed from the deck giving the game its name Six Plus Hold’em/6+ or Short Deck Poker.

Aces are played both low and high, making both a low-end straight A6789 and the high JQKTA. Also, with a shortened deck, the game changes a bit in terms of hand rankings and rules. A Flush beats a Full House and in most places where Six Plus is offered, a Set or a Three-of-a-Kind beats a Straight.

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Because the low cards are removed, there are more playable hands compared with traditional Hold’em, and so it is more of an action-orientated game. Not only are the hand rankings modified but so are the mathematics and odds/probabilities of the majority of hands.

Before we talk about the odds and probabilities of some of the hands, let’s have a look at the hand rankings offered in Six Plus Hold’em (ranked from the highest hand to the lowest):

Six Plus Hold’em Hand Rankings Comparison

One may wonder why a Flush is ranked higher than a Full House or why Three-of-a-Kind is ranked above a Straight. That’s because in Six Plus Hold’em, a Flush is harder to make since there are only nine cards in each suit instead of thirteen. Similarly, the stripped-deck also means that the remaining 36 cards are much closer in rank and so there will be smaller gaps between the cards in the hand and those on the board. This increases the probability of a hand becoming a Straight and hence Straights are ranked higher than a Three-of-a-Kind.

However, it is worth noting that the rules vary from game to game. For example, in the Short Deck variant offered in the Triton Poker Series, a Straight is ranked higher than a Three-of-a-Kind like in traditional hold’em even though mathematically a player would hit a Straight more.

One of the reasons why an operator would rank a Straight higher than Three-of-a-Kind is because it would generate more action. If Trips were ranked higher, a player with a Straight draw would have no reason to continue the hand as he or she would be drawing dead.

Let’s take a look at the odds/probabilities of hitting some of the hands:

Six Plus Hold’em vs Traditional Hold’em (Odds and Probabilities comparison)

As you can see in the table above, the odds of being dealt pocket Aces are doubled as you now get the powerful starting hand dealt once in every 105 hands, as opposed to once in every 221 hands with a full 52-card deck. However, the probability of winning a hand with aces vs a random hand decreases from 85% in traditional hold’em to 77% in Six Plus Hold’em.

The probability of hitting a Set with pocket pairs increases to 18% from 11.8%, and the probability of hitting an open-ended Straight by the River also increases to 48% in 6+ Hold’em compared with 31.5% in traditional Hold’em.

Let’s now have a look at some of the pre-flop all-in hand situations:

Six Plus Hold’em vs Traditional Hold’em (Hands Comparison)

As mentioned earlier, the equities run very close to each other with the shortened deck and so a hand like Ace-King versus Jack-Ten is almost a coin-flip, whereas the former is a favorite in Texas Hold’em. Again, a hand like Ace-King versus a pocket pair like Tens is a coin-flip in 6+, whereas a pocket pair is a slight favorite in normal Hold’em.

Now, let’s take a look at the probabilities when a connected or wet Flop is dealt:

Player 1: Ac Ks
Player 2: Td 9h

Flop: Kh 8c 7d

In traditional Hold’em, Ace-King is a favorite with 66% and Player 2 is chasing the Straight draw with a close to 34% chance of hitting it. However, the probability significantly changes in both variants of 6+ Hold’em. In a variant where Trips beat a Straight, Player 1 is only a slight favorite with just 52% (more like a coin-flip). However, in a Short Deck game where a Straight beat Trips, Player 2 is now slightly favorite with 52% chance of hitting a Straight by the river.

Another hand:

Player 1: As Ah
Player 2: Qd Jh

Flop: Ad Th 9s

It’s pretty clear when it comes to normal Hold’em, but in a Short Deck variant where Trips beat a Straight, Player 2 is drawing dead as opposed to the other variant where Player 2 still has a 32% of chance of completing a Straight by the River.

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1. It is the player’s responsibility to protect their hand at all times.
2. One player to a hand. A player may not seek advice as to the play of their hand.
3. The English only rule will be enforced.
4. Player’s cards must remain in plain view of the dealer and other players at all times.
5. Cards speak for themselves.
6. Verbal declarations in turn are binding. Other verbal declarations may be binding.
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8. The player is responsible for turning his/her hand over at the showdown.
9. The best five cards determine the winning hand.
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11. Check and raise is permitted.
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17. Only one live straddle (live bet) is allowed in limit, no-limit, and pot limit games. A player may place a live straddle from the position in front of the big blind or from the button position. The button position has first preference to place a live straddle.
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21. “Third Man Walking” rule will be strictly enforced. This means if two players are absent from the table, the 3rd player that gets up from the table may not miss a blind. If that player misses a blind, the seat will be given to the next player on the list.
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23. No rabbit hunting. (A player may not ask to see the “turn” or “river” card if all other players have folded). Additionally, once a new hand has begun, no decision can be rendered concerning the previous hand.
24. Any player dealt in a hand may ask to see a discarded hand at showdown, if that player has called all bets.
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1. ROYAL FLUSH
10, J, Q, K, A all of the same suit

2. STRAIGHT FLUSH
any five card sequence in the same suit (Ex: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)

3. FOUR OF A KIND
all four cards of the same rank (Ex: A, A, A, A)

4. FULL HOUSE
three of a kind combined with a pair (Ex: K, K, A, A, A)

5. FLUSH
any five cards of the same suit, but not in sequence (Ex: 2, 5, 7, 8, 9)

6. STRAIGHT
any five cards in sequence, but not in the same suit

7. THREE OF A KIND
three cards of the same rank without a pair (Ex: K, K, K)

8. TWO PAIR
two separate pairs (Ex: 5, 5, K, K)

9. ONE PAIR
two cards of the same rank

10. HIGH CARD
highest card in your hand

A flat disk called the “Button” shall be used to indicate an imaginary dealer.

At the commencement of play, the dealer will deal each player one card face up to determine the placement of the Button. Whoever receives the highest-ranking card will start with the Button.

The Button will move around the table in a clockwise manner after each round of play.

The player to the immediate left of the Button is required to place a Small Blind bet. The player to the immediate left of the Small Blind bet is required to place a Big Blind bet. The amount and number of blind bets will be posted on a Poker table sign.

Starting with the player to the immediate left of the Button and continuing in a clockwise rotation around the Poker table, the dealer shall deal two rounds of cards face down to each player, the player with the Button being the last player to receive a card each time.

Each player in turn, in a clockwise rotation starting with the player after the Big Blind bet, has the option to call, raise or fold. If no player has raised the bet, then the option to raise is given to both Blind bet(s). After the last player has responded to the most recent bet, the betting round shall be considered complete.

The dealer will Tap the table in front of the rack, burn the top card of the deck and place it under the pot. The dealer will proceed to deal three community cards (the Flop) face up in the center of the table.

The next betting round will begin with the option to bet or check belonging to the first player to the left of the Button who has not folded. Each player may, in clockwise rotation, fold, call, raise or, if preceding players have not made a bet, make an opening bet or check. The betting round shall be considered complete when each player has either folded or called in response to the most recent bet.

Upon completion of the betting round, the dealer will again burn the top card of the deck and then deal a fourth community card (the Turn) face up to the right of the Flop.

The next betting round will begin with the option to bet or check belonging to the first player to the left of the Button who has not folded.

Upon completion of the betting round the dealer will again burn the top card of the deck and then deal a fifth community card (the River) face up to the right of the Turn card.

The final betting round will begin with the option to check or bet belonging to the first player to the left of the Button who has not folded.

If more than one player remains in the round of play after the final betting round has been completed, a showdown shall be used to determine the winner of the pot.

Each player remaining in the game will turn their cards over and the dealer will read the cards to determine the highest-ranking five-card high poker hand using, in any combination, their own two cards and the five community cards.

The winner of the pot will be the player with the highest-ranking five-card high poker hand.

In the event of a tie the excess chip is awarded to the first player with cards, clockwise from the dealer Button.

A flat disk called the “Button” shall be used to indicate an imaginary dealer.

At the commencement of play, the dealer will deal each player one card face up to determine the placement of the Button. Whoever receives the highest-ranking card will start with the Button.

The Button will move around the table in a clockwise manner after each round of play.

Short Deck Poker Starting Hand Rankings Chart

The player to the immediate left of the Button is required to place a Small Blind bet. The player to the immediate left of the Small Blind bet is required to place a Big Blind bet. The amount and number of all Blind bets will be posted on a Poker table sign.

Starting with the player to the immediate left of the Button and continuing in a clockwise rotation around the Poker table, the dealer shall deal four rounds of cards face down to each player. The player with the Button will be the last player to receive a card each time.

Each player in turn, in a clockwise rotation starting with the player after the Big Blind bet, has the option to call, raise or fold. If no player has raised the bet, then the option to raise is given to both Blind bet(s). After the last player has responded to the most recent bet, the betting round shall be considered complete.

The dealer will Tap the table in front of the rack, burn the top card of the deck and place it under the chips in the pot, and proceed to deal three community cards (the Flop) face up in the center of the table.

The next betting round shall commence with the option to bet or check belonging to the first player to the left of the Button who has not folded. Each player may, in clockwise rotation, fold, call, raise or, if preceding players have not made a bet, make an opening bet or check. The betting round shall be considered complete when each player has either folded or called in response to the most recent bet.

Upon completion of the betting round, the dealer will again burn the top card of the deck and then deal a fourth community card (the Turn) face up to the right of the Flop.

The next betting round will begin with the option to bet or check belonging to the first player to the left of the Button who has not folded.

Upon completion of the betting round, the dealer will again burn the top card of the deck and then deal a fifth community card (the River) face up to the right of the Turn.

The final betting round will begin with the option to bet or check belonging to the first player to the left of the Button who has not folded.

If more than one player remains in the round of play after the final betting round has been completed, a showdown shall be used to determine the winner of the pot.

Each player remaining in the game shall form a five-card poker hand by using two of the four cards dealt to the player and three of the five community cards.

In High-Low Split Eight or Better poker, the player with the highest-ranking five-card Poker hand and the player with the lowest-ranking five-card Poker hand, will divide the pot equally. If there is an extra $1, that chip will be given to the player with the High hand.

In Omaha High-Low Split Eight or Better poker, if none of the remaining players has a low-hand, the entire pot will be awarded to the player with the highest-ranking High Poker hand.

A player may form two different hands of five cards each, enabling that player to contend for both the High hand and Low hand share of the pot.

A player may use the same five-card grouping to make a High hand and a Low hand. An Ace may be used concurrently as a low-ranking card to satisfy a Low hand and as a high-ranking card to satisfy a High hand.

Each poker table shall be restricted to a maximum of eight players. Each player who plays in a round of play may be required to place an ante.

Starting with the first player to the left of the dealer and continuing in a clockwise rotation around the poker table, the dealer will deal two rounds of cards face down and one round of cards face up to each player.

Once each player has received three cards, the first betting round shall begin by comparing the up-card of each player. The player with the lowest card will start the betting round. In the event that two or more up-cards are of the same rank, the up-cards shall then be ranked by suit with the highest to lowest ranked suits in order as follows: Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, and Clubs.

Following the bet placed by the player with the low card, each following player, proceeding in a clockwise rotation, may fold, call or raise the bet. After the last player has responded to the most recent bet, the betting round is complete.

Upon completion of the first betting round, the dealer will bring the chips into the center of the table and burn the top card of the deck and place it under the pot. Starting with the first remaining player to the dealer’s left, a fourth card face up will be dealt to each player remaining in the game. The player with the highest-ranking poker hand showing will initiate the action by betting or checking. If the highest-ranking poker hand showing is held by two or more players, the player closest to the left of the dealershall be required to bet or check.

Following the initial bet or check, each subsequent player, proceeding in a clockwise rotation, may fold, call, raise or, if the preceding players have not made a bet, check. Each player may check until a bet has been made. Once a bet has been made, the next player in the clockwise rotation may fold, call or raise. After the last player has responded to the most recent bet, the betting round is complete.

The dealer will then deal two additional rounds of cards, face up, to each player remaining in the game. Each round will be followed by a betting round. Prior to each round of cards being dealt, the dealer shall burn the top card of the deck and place it under the pot.

If there are enough cards remaining in the deck/stub, each remaining player will be dealt a seventh and final card.

If there are not enough cards remaining in the deck to give each remaining player a seventh card, the dealer may shuffle the burn cards, burn a card, then deal a seventh card to each player. If there are not enough cards remaining including the burn cards to issue a seventh card, the top card of the deck shall be burned and a common card shall be dealt face up in the center of the table. If there is one or no card remaining in the deck when a common card is to be dealt, the dealer shall shuffle the burn cards, burn a card and then deal the common card.

If more than one player remains after the final betting round, a showdown will be used to determine the winner of the pot. Each player remaining in the game shall form a five-card poker hand from the seven cards that they were dealt. The winner of the pot will be the player with the highest ranking five-card high hand.

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