Short Deck, or 6+ Hold'em, is a Hold'em-style variant with a shortened 36-card deck (no 2-5). Faster with more action and confrontations.

Why does Flush beat Full House in Short Deck?

Because a 36-card deck has only 9 cards per suit (vs 13), making a flush statistically harder to complete than a full house. So the rankings flip.

Can A complete a low straight?

Yes. In Short Deck, A plays as a 5 to complete A-6-7-8-9 (since 2-5 aren't in the deck).

How are blinds handled?

Most modern formats have every player pay equal Ante and the Button pays a double ante. No standard Small/Big Blind.

Is Short Deck good for beginners?

If you know Hold'em — yes, adaptation is fast. Complete beginners should learn regular Hold'em first.

Short Deck Poker — 6+ Hold'em

Q: Where to play Short Deck?

ClubGG has active Short Deck tables at multiple buy-in levels. Join the club for access.

Short Deck — or "6+ Hold'em" — is a fast, popular poker variant from Asia that's become mandatory in elite clubs. You play with just 36 cards (no 2, 3, 4, 5), creating more confrontations, more draws, and more action per hand. This guide covers the rules, the special hand rankings, strategy, and where to play.

36-card deck only — more action, more draws
Different hand rankings: Flush beats Full House
A can complete the A-6-7-8-9 straight
Available on ClubGG at multiple buy-in levels

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Subject to Terms of Use and Responsible Gaming Policy · 21+

Why Is Short Deck So Popular?

Short Deck was born in Hong Kong private clubs a few years back, and quickly became the favorite of elite players like Tom Dwan and Phil Ivey. The reason: fewer cards = more confrontations. Straights and flushes hit more often, pockets make more sets, and no one folds preflop too tightly.

The result: a dynamic, fast, very "postflop-oriented" game. If you\'re burnt out on regular Hold\'em, Short Deck will feel like a fresh spark.

Hand Rankings in Short Deck (Different!)

Royal Flush — A-K-Q-J-T same suit
Straight Flush — 5 in a row, same suit
Four of a Kind
Flush — 5 same suit (beats Full House!)
Full House
Straight — including A-6-7-8-9 (A plays as 5)
Three of a Kind — (beats a Straight!)
Two Pair / Pair / High Card

Strategy Differences from Regular Hold'em

Closer equity: even a "bad" hand like 76s vs AK has ~40%. Not many 80/20 situations.
Stronger draws: Open-ended straight draw in Short Deck has 8 outs in 36 cards ≈ 45% to hit. Think twice before folding.
More postflop confrontations: don\'t bluff-steal on easy rivers — someone will call.
Ante Button discount: if only the Button pays double ante — less reason to steal blinds.

Where to Play Short Deck

At ClubGG there are active Short Deck tables at many buy-in levels — from Micro to High Stakes. Community in Hebrew and English, dedicated tournaments, and the best place to get into this format.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Short Deck Poker — 6+ Hold'em

36-card deck only — more action, more draws

Different hand rankings: Flush beats Full House

A can complete the A-6-7-8-9 straight

Available on ClubGG at multiple buy-in levels

Subject to Terms of Use and Responsible Gaming Policy · 21+

Why Is Short Deck So Popular?

The result: a dynamic, fast, very "postflop-oriented" game. If you\'re burnt out on regular Hold\'em, Short Deck will feel like a fresh spark.

Strategy Differences from Regular Hold'em

Closer equity: even a "bad" hand like 76s vs AK has ~40%. Not many 80/20 situations.
Stronger draws: Open-ended straight draw in Short Deck has 8 outs in 36 cards ≈ 45% to hit. Think twice before folding.
More postflop confrontations: don\'t bluff-steal on easy rivers — someone will call.
Ante Button discount: if only the Button pays double ante — less reason to steal blinds.

Short Deck Poker — 6+ Hold'em

Why Is Short Deck So Popular?

Hand Rankings in Short Deck (Different!)

Strategy Differences from Regular Hold'em

Where to Play Short Deck

Ready to join the club?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Short Deck?

Why does Flush beat Full House in Short Deck?

Can A complete a low straight?

How are blinds handled?

Where to play Short Deck?

Is Short Deck good for beginners?

Short Deck Poker — 6+ Hold'em

Why Is Short Deck So Popular?

Hand Rankings in Short Deck (Different!)

Strategy Differences from Regular Hold'em

Where to Play Short Deck

Ready to join the club?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Short Deck?

Why does Flush beat Full House in Short Deck?

Can A complete a low straight?

How are blinds handled?

Where to play Short Deck?

Is Short Deck good for beginners?