Understanding and Utilizing Bet Sizing in Short Deck Hold’em

By mastering bet sizing, you can exploit the smaller deck and and maintain control over the size of the pot

Short Deck Hold’em, also known as Six-Plus Hold’em, is a variation of Texas Hold’em where the deck is reduced to 36 cards by removing the 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s. This unique twist on the classic game changes the odds, hand rankings, and overall strategy. One of the key elements to master in Short Deck is bet sizing. Properly utilizing bet sizes in this variant can make a significant difference in both gaining an advantage and protecting your stack.

In Short Deck, the general principle of bet sizing remains similar to traditional Texas Hold’em, but because the deck is smaller, hand strengths are altered. For example, a pair of eights becomes much stronger in Short Deck because fewer cards are available to complete straights or flushes. This shift affects how players should size their bets.

A common strategy is to use larger bets when holding strong hands, especially since drawing hands like straight or flush draws are less frequent. For instance, a bet sizing strategy for strong hands such as top pairs, two pairs, or trips might lean toward making larger value bets, pushing your opponents to pay more to see the next card.

However, with weaker hands or drawing hands, you might choose to employ smaller bets or even check to control the pot size, particularly if you are in a position where you’re not likely to hit your draw. Since the odds of completing a strong hand are reduced, it’s important to avoid overcommitting with speculative hands, especially when the pot is large.

Players should also consider their position at the table when deciding on bet sizes. Being in a later position can allow for more flexibility in sizing, as you can see how your opponents react before making your decision. Adjusting your bet size based on your position, hand strength, and the current pot can be the difference between winning or losing in Short Deck Hold’em.