Short Deck 6+ Preflop Range Chart: Strategy and Adjustment Guide
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Short Deck 6+ Short Deck poker rules and probabilities are significantly different from regular Texas Hold'em, requiring recalibration of preflop ranges. This article, based on 6-max, gives tight-aggressive 15%-25% and aggressive 25%-35% range suggestions from UTG to BB, and explains why suited connectors increase in value and why pair equities shrink. Includes practical adjustment tips, suitable for players transitioning from regular Texas Hold'em.
STRATEGY article: short-deck-6-plus-preflop-range-chart
Fundamental Probability Changes in Short Deck 6+
Short Deck 6+ (also called Six Plus Hold'em) removes cards 2-5, reducing the deck from 52 to 36 cards. Key impacts:
- Flush draw: The 9 outs remain (since suits are unchanged), but with fewer total cards, the actual probability of completing a flush draw increases from ~34.7% to ~42.9%.
- Straight completion: An Ace can act as high or low, creating A-6-7-8-9 double-gutshot straights; straights occur more frequently.
- Pair equity: AA's equity against random hands drops from ~85% to ~77%, and the edge for all pairs diminishes.
Consequently, preflop hand strength is reordered: Suited connectors and suited Aces gain significant value, while unpaired high cards like AKo and AQo lose their advantage.
6-Max Preflop Raise Range by Position (Standard Tight-Aggressive Example)
The following ranges assume 100BB effective stacks, a 2.5BB open raise, and no antes. Percentages indicate hand range proportion (out of 36*35/2 = 630 total starting hands).
UTG (Under the Gun, first to act in a 6-max game)
- Tight-aggressive (~15%): All pairs (66+, 9 combos), A9s+ (A9, A8, A7 suited? Note: A9s and higher; A8s and below are usually too weak and folded), ATo+, KJo+, KTs+, QTs+, JTs, T9s, 98s, 87s, 76s.
- Aggressive (~20%): Add A5s+, ATo+, K9s+, KTo+, Q9s+, QJo, J9s+, T8s+, 98s, 87s, 76s, 65s.
MP (Middle Position, typically HJ or second to act)
- Tight-aggressive (~20%): All pairs 66+, all suited Aces (A2s+), ATo+, KJo+, K9s+, QTs+, JTs, T9s, 98s, 87s, 76s, 65s.
- Aggressive (~28%): Add K8s+, KTo+, Q8s+, QTo+, J8s+, T7s+, all pairs, A2s+, A9o+.
CO (Cutoff, one position before the button)
- Tight-aggressive (~25%): All pairs 66+, A2s+, ATo+, K8s+, KTo+, Q8s+, QJo, J8s+, T7s+, 98s, 87s, 76s, 65s, 54s.
- Aggressive (~35%): Add K5s+, K9o+, Q5s+, QTo, J5s+, T5s+, all connectors (64s+).
BTN (Button)
- Tight-aggressive (~30%): All pairs 66+, A2s+, A9o+, K5s+, K9o+, Q5s+, Q9o+, J5s+, J9o+, T5s+, T9o, 98s, 87s, 76s, 65s, 54s.
- Aggressive (~40%): Add A2o+, K2s+, Q2s+, J2s+, T2s+, any suited connector.
SB (Small Blind)
Given positional disadvantage, raise or fold is recommended; avoid limping. The raising range can reference CO but slightly tighter (~20-25%).
BB (Big Blind)
Defending range against a raise should be wider. Suggested defense: all pairs, all suited Aces, K8s+, Q8s+, J8s+, T8s+, 98s, 87s, 76s, 65s (~35%). When facing a 3bet, the 4bet range can be slightly tighter.
Key Adjustment Tips
- Suited connectors are extremely valuable: For example, 87s has ~32% equity against AA (vs. ~23% in regular Hold'em); in short deck, treat them like medium pairs.
- Suited Aces > offsuit Aces: A6s is easier to make flushes or straights than AKo, making it more playable postflop.
- Big pairs are no longer invincible: Pairs like 66-99 have similar equity against AKo+ combos; don't overvalue pairs.
- Wider 3bet range: In regular Hold'em, 3bets are often KK+ and AK; in short deck, include semi-bluff hands like A5s or KQs.
- More aggressive blind stealing: Due to better pot odds (after posting blinds), BTN and CO can open with wider ranges.
Summary
The core of short deck 6+ preflop strategy is prioritizing flush potential and downplaying the absolute advantage of pairs. In practice, adjust dynamically based on opponent tendencies. Use the range charts above as a starting point and refine to fit your own style.