Short Deck 6+ Preflop Adjustments: Redefining Starting Hands and Position Strategy

The Unique Deck Structure of Short Deck 6+

Short Deck 6+ (also known as Short Deck or 6+ Hold'em) removes all cards from 2 to 5, leaving only 6 through A for a total of 36 cards. This changes:

• Hand strength distribution: Flushes and straights occur much more frequently. Previously "marginal" hands like A6, K9, etc., gain stronger support.
• Higher proportion of pairs: The probability of each card appearing changes from 1/52 to 1/36, making pairs easier to form. However, the value of pairs decreases compared to traditional Texas Hold'em because opponents are more likely to hit stronger made hands.
• Nut advantage shift: Ace-high flushes are the nuts, but competition for straights, flushes, and even full houses increases. The dominance of traditional "big pairs" weakens.

Starting Hand Range Reconstruction

Playability Ranking (Strongest to Weakest)

1. High Pairs (AA, KK, QQ): Still ahead, but need to worry about opponents drawing to straights or flushes. Recommend 3-bet or 4-bet as primary action, avoid multiway pots.
2. Ace with Big Suited Cards (AKs, AQs, AJs): Ace-high flush is the nut flush and can outdraw opponents' made hands, worth aggressive raising.
3. Suited Connectors (T9s, 98s, 87s): With more straights possible, these hands easily form strong draws postflop and can be played frequently.
4. Low Pairs (66-99): Value decreases because with 8 board cards, opponents are more likely to hit a better pair or straight. Recommend only in position or as a squeeze.
5. Big Offsuit Cards (AKo, AQo): No flush potential, perform worse in multiway pots. Suitable for pure preflop raise or fold.
6. Small Unsuited Connectors (76o, 65o): Almost unplayable, lacking flush potential and straights may be dominated by larger straights.

Typical Preflop Raising Range (Button Open):

• All pairs (22+)
• All suited aces (A2s+)
• All suited connectors (45s+)
• All suited J, Q, K with low cards (K9s+, Q9s+, J9s+)
• Some offsuit aces (A9o+)
• Some offsuit connectors (T9o, 98o)

Note: After removing 2-5, the former "small suited connectors" like 45s become the smallest suited connectors and are still playable because they can make the smallest straight.

Positional Value Amplified

In Short Deck 6+, because there are fewer cards, blind stealing is more successful preflop. The big blind defense range needs to be much tighter, as playing marginal hands against raises often leads to disadvantageous situations.

• Small Blind: Usually all playable hands should be raised rather than called, because calling leaves you out of position with poor pot odds postflop.
• Big Blind: Against a small blind steal, defend with about 30-40% of hands, but against raises from other positions, recommend defending with 20-25%, mainly suited cards and connectors.
• Button: Biggest positional advantage, can raise about 50% of hands. In short deck, attacking with a wider range is key to profitability.

3-bet and 4-bet Strategy

Increased 3-bet Frequency

Because many hands are playable and effective stack depths are typically 40-100 BB, 3-betting becomes a common re-raise tool.

• Standard 3-bet Range:

  • Value part: AA, KK, QQ, AKs, AKo (about 2.5%)
  • Semi-bluff part: A5s-A2s (block Aces and can draw to flushes), suited connectors like T9s, 98s, etc.
  • Avoid 3-betting small to medium pairs, as they often get into trouble when called.

• 4-bet Range:

  • Against tight 3-bettors, use only AA/KK/KK/QQ/AKs/AKo.
  • Against loose 3-bettors, may include A5s etc., keep frequency within 4%.

Hands to Call 3-bets

• In Position: Can call with small pairs (e.g., 22-88) and suited connectors (68s+), because there is a chance to hit trips or straights postflop.
• Out of Position: Only call with strong suited cards (ATs+, KTs+) and some connectors.

Adjustments Against Different Player Types

• Aggressive Players: Tighten calling range, 3-bet with strong hands and be prepared to call 4-bets. In short deck, aggressive players will 3-bet more with suited connectors, so our value range should be narrower.
• Tight-Passive Players (Nits): Widen stealing range, frequently raise against small and big blinds, and reduce 3-betting against them because they won't pay off.
• Calling Stations: Avoid bluffing, value bet with made hands. On the flop, if you miss, check more often because opponents have wide calling ranges and are hard to fold.

Examples: Preflop Hands and Actions

Scenario: 7-handed, effective stacks 80 BB. You are in the big blind. CO raises to 3 BB, button and small blind fold. Your hand is 86s (spades).

• Decision: Call. 86s can make a straight (56789 or 6789T) and is suited. Pot odds are favorable (you call 2 BB, pot is about 7 BB). Folding is too weak, 3-betting too aggressive; calling is the balanced choice.

Scenario: You are on the button. CO raises 3 BB. Your hand is KTo.

• Decision: Fold. KTo is offsuit, easily dominated (e.g., if opponent has KT or KJ), and it's hard to hit a strong hand postflop. Despite good position, the hand is too weak to risk.

Summary

Core adjustments for Short Deck 6+ preflop:

• The value of suited cards and connectors increases significantly; big offsuit cards depreciate.
• Position becomes more important; the button can raise extremely wide.
• 3-bet frequency increases, but be mindful of range balance.
• Pairs are weaker, especially small to medium pairs; enter pots cautiously.

By making these adjustments, you can quickly adapt to the rhythm of short deck and establish more favorable preflop situations. Remember, short deck is a high-variance game requiring more flexible hand selection and positional awareness.