Advanced Analyzing Short Deck Hands with Poker Equities Owen Gaines Owen Gaines is a professional poker player and author who has played an estimated ten million hands and written four poker strategy books. October 1, 2025 Recognizing how the reduced deck alters probabilities allows you to spot profitable linesShort deck poker, also known as Six-Plus Hold’em, has grown in popularity due to its fast pace and action-heavy format. The game removes all cards ranked two through five, leaving a 36-card deck. This adjustment changes hand rankings and equity calculations, making analysis critical for players aiming to maximize their edge. Because there are fewer cards in play, the probability of making strong hands increases. For example, flushes become rarer than full houses, flipping their strength compared to traditional Hold’em. Players evaluating equity in Short Deck must account for these altered odds, especially when drawing to straights or flushes.A common scenario involves evaluating open-ended straight draws. In short deck, there are fewer total cards, which means hitting a straight happens more frequently than in standard Hold’em. This shifts the equity balance, often making aggressive play with draws more profitable than simply waiting to hit.Pocket pairs also carry more weight in short deck. The chance of flopping a set is slightly higher, and because straights and trips occur often, sets remain powerful equity holdings. Calculating the likelihood of an opponent holding a competing strong hand is essential when deciding whether to push equity edges.One key difference is how ace-high plays in certain spots. With straights easier to make, an ace often acts as both a high card and a vital straight connector. Players must evaluate how their equity stands not just against overcards but against potential straight possibilities in multiway pots.Equity tools tailored for short deck can help players break down these situations. By inputting ranges, players can see how different hands perform pre-flop and post-flop. This data provides a clearer picture of whether aggressive betting or pot control maximizes long-term results.