Short Deck 6+ Preflop Range Adjustment: Transitioning Preflop Strategy from Regular Texas Hold'em to Short Deck

Position Scenario Description

Short Deck 6+ (Short Deck) uses 36 cards (removing 2-5). A remains high, but the probabilities of straights, flushes, and full houses change significantly. Preflop ranges must be tightened considerably and biased toward high cards and connectors. The following is based on a 6-handed (FR) table with standard effective stacks of 100BB (common in Short Deck: 100-200BB).

• UTG: Under the Gun, tightest
• MP: Middle Position
• CO: Cutoff
• BTN: Button
• SB: Small Blind
• BB: Big Blind

Recommended Ranges (Text Description)

Raising Range (RFI, Raise First In)

• UTG: A9o+, KTo+, QJo+, A2s+ (all suited aces), K9s+, Q9s+, JTs-76s (including 76s), and all pairs 22+. Note: In Short Deck, pair values decrease, but 99+ remain strong; 22-88 can be used for stealing or flopping a set. Range width approximately 15%-18%.
• MP: UTG range + additional: A6o-A8o, K8o+, Q9o+, JTo+, T9o+, suited connectors 54s+ (including 54s). Approximately 20%-22%.
• CO: MP range + additional: A2o-A5o, K7o-K9o, Q8o+, J8o+, T8o+, suited connectors 43s+. Approximately 25%-28%.
• BTN: CO range + almost all A-high, Kx2o-K6o (stealable with position), Q7o+, J7o+, T7o+, and all suited connectors (32s+), all pairs. Approximately 35%-40%.
• SB: Similar to BTN but tighter due to potential BB squeeze: remove the weakest Kx2o-K5o, Q6o from BTN range. Approximately 30%-35%.
• BB: When facing a raise, the defending range should be wide. Against a BTN raise, call approximately 50%-60% of range. However, in Short Deck, re-raising frequency should be higher because strong hands are more abundant.

Calling Range (When Facing a Raise)

• Facing an UTG raise: From CO and later positions, calling range: pairs 22-99 (fold if no set), suited connectors T9s-65s, suited A2s-A5s (for floating), occasionally A6s-A9s (depending). Avoid calling with weak suited K or Q hands, as they are easily dominated.
• Facing an MP raise: Widen calling range: suited connectors 54s+, suited A2s-A8s, suited K9s-Q9s, pairs 22-99, straight-building hands like T8o, 98o (good for constructing straights).
• Facing a BTN raise: Defending from the blinds, calling range can include all pairs, all suited aces, all suited connectors, and some offsuit connectors like 87o+, K9o, etc.

Range Construction Logic

Key changes in Short Deck:

1. Straights are more frequent: Removing 2-5 makes A-6-7-8-9 the smallest straight, and 6-7-8-9-T a common one. Therefore, unlike regular Hold'em, connectors (e.g., 76s) gain significant value, and suited aces like A2s-A5s become stronger because they can make the A-6-7-8-9 straight.
2. Flush probability decreases, but flush value increases because they are rarer. Suited hands should be played more aggressively.
3. Pairs lose value: The probability of flopping a set drops from the usual 12% to about 10% (due to fewer cards), and full houses become more common. Thus, middle pairs (77-99) should be played cautiously postflop, as they are easily outdrawn by straights or flushes.
4. High cards (A, K) have more dominance: A-high hits top pair more often on the flop, but note that in Short Deck, top pair is also more vulnerable to straight draws.

Therefore, preflop ranges should prioritize:

• All pairs (still raise, especially small pairs for stealing)
• All suited aces
• All suited connectors (from 54s to JTs)
• High double-broadway hands (KQ, AK, etc.)
• Offsuit connectors (e.g., T9o, 98o) can be raised from later positions

Adjustment Factors

• Effective stack depth: Below 50BB, tighten range, more all-in or fold; above 200BB, slightly loosen range for better postflop playability.
• Opponent tendencies: If opponents call too much, raise for value; if they 3bet frequently, tighten your open range and increase 4bet bluffs (using hands like A2s-A5s with straight potential).
• Table type: On tight-passive tables, steal frequently; on loose-aggressive tables, reduce marginal hands and focus on strong ones.
• 3bet and 4bet: In Short Deck, the 3bet range should be more polarized (clear value and bluffs). Bluffs often use suited aces and suited connectors; 4bet ranges should include AA, KK, and A5s, A4s (as blockers).

GTO Reference

(Note: The following are theoretical simulation approximations, based on a 6-max short deck with 100BB, assuming no antes)

• UTG RFI about 15%
• BTN RFI about 35%
• Facing a BTN raise, BB defends about 55%-60%, with 3-bets around 15%
• 3-bet range: value hands like AA, KK, AKs, AKo; bluffs like A2s-A5s, 76s, 87s, etc.
• 4-bet range: AA, KK, A5s (as a blocker), and AKs when necessary.

Note: GTO changes as players adapt, but the above can serve as a baseline.

Practical Applications

1. UTG: Strictly follow the recommended range; fold hands like A2o-A8o. For example, UTG folds A7o but raises A9s.
2. BTN vs BB: BTN has a wider raising range, but against an aggressive BB, weaken weak A-highs (e.g., A2o, A3o) and keep suited connectors.
3. 3-bet and 4-bet Examples: In middle position, you 3-bet an MP raise with A5s; opponent 4-bets. With 100BB effective stack, consider 5-bet jamming (since A5s is a typical bluff-turned-value hand).
4. Small Pairs Usage: In position, call with 22-55 on the flop; fold if high cards appear, raise if you hit trips. Avoid slow-playing out of position.
5. Special Adjustments: When short deck uses the rule where "A can be used as both a high card and a low card" (e.g., A6789 straight), increase the emphasis on Aces.

In summary, the core of short deck preflop adjustment is embracing connectors and suited hands, reducing the value of pairs, and balancing value with bluffs.