Is Short Deck the Most Unforgiving Poker Variant?

In the hierarchy of poker variants, Short Deck Hold’em—also known as Six Plus Hold’em—has earned a notorious reputation. A relative newcomer to the poker world, this stripped-down version of Texas Hold’em eliminates the cards ranked 2 through 5, leaving just 36 cards in the deck. At first glance, this might seem like a minor tweak.

In reality, it's a seismic shift. That’s because the probability of hitting an open-ended straight draw by the river increases from 31.5% to 48% compared to traditional Hold’em. In fact, this results in Hold’em, significantly altering hand values and strategies. For many, Short Deck may just be the most punishing poker format ever dealt.

The Basic Shift

The fundamental difference in Short Deck is, of course, the deck itself. By removing the twos through fives, the game increases the frequency of high cards and big hands. The adjusted hand rankings - where a flush outranks a full house and three of a kind becomes significantly more powerful - those are just the starting changes. More crucially, the usual probabilities that guide decision-making in regular Hold’em are completely reshaped.

This radical rebalancing of hand strength has made Short Deck a magnet for high-octane action on international casino platforms like SambaSlots, where players from around the globe are offered a chance to experience some cutting-edge versions of traditional card games, and some other casino games.

The accessibility of Short Deck online is also accelerating its learning curve and exposing many to just how unforgiving the format can be. This means that seasoned Texas Hold’em pros can’t rely on their usual playbook. Hands that would be marginal in full-deck Hold’em can become monsters in Short Deck. Conversely, lines that would be safe bets in traditional poker can quickly become traps. The margin for error is razor-thin.

Increased Volatility

Variance is king in Short Deck. With more big hands colliding and equities running closer together, pots grow faster and swings hit harder. It’s not uncommon for players to stack off with hands like top pair and top kicker, only to run into two pairs or better, because those hands simply occur more frequently.

Let’s look at one of the classic pitfalls: pocket aces. In full-deck Hold’em, pocket aces are a dominant favorite pre-flop. In Short Deck? Still strong, but far more vulnerable. Against hands like suited connectors or even marginal pocket pairs, the gap in equity tightens. It’s much easier to make straights, sets, and two pairs in a 36-card deck. The result? Getting aces cracked becomes more of a rule than an exception.

Strategic Rewiring Required

The aggression level in Short Deck is significantly higher. Limping is far more common, pre-flop equities run much closer, and post-flop edges are narrow. Players must unlearn many habits from regular Hold’em. For example, open-ended straight draws in Short Deck have six outs instead of eight, but they hit often enough due to the concentration of high cards to still be considered dangerous.

Despite this, the real catch is hand reading. It’s exponentially harder. When everything hits more often, trying to narrow down your opponent's range is like catching smoke. Players can credibly represent huge hands in a much wider variety of situations—and sometimes they’re not bluffing. Bluffs, incidentally, are riskier too. The frequency of strong holdings makes opponents more likely to call down. Attempt a poorly timed move, and you’ll find yourself burned fast.

No Room for Passivity

There’s a brutal efficiency to Short Deck. It punishes passivity more than any other format. In full-deck Hold’em, players can get away with tightening up or waiting for ideal spots. In Short Deck, that approach often leads to one outcome: bleeding chips and getting steamrolled by more aggressive players.

The game demands assertiveness. Not reckless aggression, but decisive action. There’s simply too much value on the table to play scared. If you're not taking calculated risks, someone else is—and they’ll bury you for it.

The Illusion of Loose Play

On the surface, Short Deck looks like it rewards loose, carefree action. After all, if everyone’s hitting big hands, why not gamble more? This is a dangerous trap. The truth is, successful Short Deck players are often more disciplined, not less. They understand the value of position, the nuances of blockers, and the implications of stack depth.

That discipline becomes even more vital in tournaments, where the pace of elimination is faster and ICM (Independent Chip Model) pressure is heightened. Short Deck tournament life is fragile—one misstep and you’re out. It’s a high-wire act without a safety net.

A Pro’s Playground—and Minefield

There’s a reason elite players like Tom Dwan, Phil Ivey, and Paul Phua embraced Short Deck in the high-stakes circles of Macau: it rewards creativity, adaptability, and fearlessness. These are traits that separate true poker minds from mere grinders. That being said, even the best aren’t immune to Short Deck’s volatility. The swings are so violent, even well-played hands can end in disaster.

It’s also worth noting that the edge in Short Deck erodes faster. While a strong Hold’em player can consistently beat softer competition, Short Deck shrinks that skill gap. The compressed equities mean that bad players can get lucky more often, and that makes it tougher for pros to maintain their edge over time.

Conclusion

So, is Short Deck the most unforgiving poker variant? Yes—if you’re not prepared. It demands a deeper understanding of shifting probabilities, an unflinching confidence in your reads, and nerves of steel. Mistakes get magnified. Variance bites harder. Complacency is also fatal. Nevertheless, for those who can stomach the swings and master its rhythms, Short Deck is as rewarding as it is brutal. Most poker games test your skill. Short Deck tests your soul.