Poker Strategy Understanding Equity Shifts in Short Deck Poker Americas Cardroom February 13, 2024 It’s easier to get premium hands in short deck poker, which can alter the course of the game In Short Deck Poker, also known as Six Plus Hold’em, understanding equity shifts is crucial due to the modified deck structure and altered hand rankings. With the removal of all cards below six, including deuces through fives, the game introduces significant changes in hand values and probabilities, leading to dynamic shifts in equity during gameplay. One key aspect to grasp is the increased prevalence of premium hands in Short Deck Poker. With fewer cards in the deck, the likelihood of being dealt strong starting hands such as high pairs, suited connectors and Broadway cards is higher compared to traditional Hold’em. Consequently, the equity distribution among players tends to be more polarized, with players often holding stronger hands preflop. However, the removal of low cards also impacts the relative strength of certain hand combinations. For instance, flushes become more challenging to make since there are fewer cards of each suit remaining in the deck. As a result, flush draws lose some of their equity compared to standard Hold’em, while straight draws become relatively stronger due to the increased frequency of open-ended straight possibilities. Moreover, understanding equity shifts in Short Deck Poker requires a keen awareness of preflop and postflop dynamics. In preflop scenarios, players must adjust their ranges and strategies to account for the increased likelihood of encountering premium holdings among opponents. Aggressive play with strong starting hands is often favored to capitalize on the higher equity of premium holdings. Postflop, equity shifts can occur rapidly due to the reduced number of outs available for drawing hands. Players must accurately assess their hand’s equity relative to the board texture and opponent ranges to make informed decisions. Additionally, the concept of implied odds becomes even more crucial in Short Deck Poker, as players aim to extract maximum value from their strong holdings against opponents chasing draws with reduced equity.