Short Deck Hold'em: Mastering the Unique Strategy of Poker's Newest Variant

Short Deck Hold'em is a variant of poker that uses a deck of 36 cards, making it a unique and exciting game. This variant has gained significant popularity, especially since it became available on PokerStars. The author of the article delves into the non-intuitive aspects of Short Deck Hold'em strategy, providing insights that can help players adapt to this fast-paced game.

One of the key differences in Short Deck Hold'em is the ante structure. In a standard 6-max game, there are seven antes in the pot before the action begins. This is equivalent to half a small blind in a traditional game, making the ante structure significantly more expensive. The effective stack size in Short Deck Hold'em can be much smaller, which affects the dynamics of the game. For example, a 6-max game with 100 antes is roughly equivalent to a game with 20 big blinds in traditional Hold'em. This means that players need to adjust their strategies to account for the shallower effective stacks.

Another important aspect to consider is the positioning and the risk of isolating limpers. In Short Deck Hold'em, the cost of entering the pot is only 1/7 of the pot, which can lead to wider limping ranges. However, the author advises against isolating limpers due to the high risk of facing stronger hands behind you. The mathematics of the game suggest that calling might be a better option in many situations. Additionally, the texture of the flops in Short Deck Hold'em can be quite different from traditional Hold'em. Top pairs are stronger in heads-up situations or against two opponents, but they can be more challenging to play in multi-way pots. The author provides detailed examples and calculations to illustrate these points, making the article a valuable resource for players looking to improve their Short Deck Hold'em strategy.