Strategy: Smaller Edges, Different Perspective. Now what about the basic strategy? The good news is that the Six Plus Holdem winning strategy is a work in progress, so that means everyone is likely to make big mistakes at one point or another. Rules of 6+ Hold’em. In PokerStars’ version of Six Plus Hold’em, instead of the traditional “small blind” and “big blind”, the game uses a “button blind” structure meaning every player on the table pays an ante while the player on the Button not only pays the ante but also pays a blind equivalent to the size of the ante. Strategy for Short Deck Hold'em. Even though the game became popular about 4 years ago, there has been not much development of theory or strategy of Six Plus Hold'em. As a matter of fact, no support software has been released for it. In Six Plus Hold’em where hand equities run close it’s not so obvious if a hand is strong enough to be played or not. Only playing premium hands is simply not a viable strategy, because the cost of antes per round is high and you’ll often be getting a very good price to see a flop. Hold’em Strategy: The 5 Golden Rules If you asked a hundred people to explain the difference between strategy and tactics, not a lot would get it right. Tactics are short-term while strategy involves long term planning - and that is the basic difference.

The 6-max no-limit hold’em format is gaining immense popularity among online poker players, sometimes even overrunning the full-ring games. If you’re in the mood for more action-packed poker,here are a few poker tips on basic 6-max strategy.

Those who have already played 6-max cash games know that they’re faster, more intense, and more aggressive than what is typically the case at the regular nine-handed tables. More often than not, the 6-max battles are won and lost in position as the shorter-handed table means you’re going to spend more time in the blinds and playing from late positions.

It’s only natural that the game logic of 6-max NLHE suggests greater success will be enjoyed by the more aggressive players. However, you should still keep your head clear as even here too much does not necessarily mean good play. If you wish to try playing 6-max and stay on the winning side, here are five rather simple strategy tips to consider.

1. Play Tight

Aggressive play is often the right play from late positions. However, you should really know what you’re doing as it’s going to be really hard to keep up the same level of aggression when playing from the blinds and early positions.

Many new 6-max players tend to start out playing too many hands and playing them too aggressively. You should still fold around two-thirds or even three-fourths of your hands and not get involved in the pot. This means that any suited-ace or suited connectors should be returned to the dealer before the flop if it costs more than one big blind to continue, unless you’re on the button. This might sound boring, but when playing from out of position at the 6-max table, tight often means right.

By not playing too many hands you will not only save your chips, but will also have more time to study and get to know your opponents which is also very important.

2. Don’t Forget to Be Aggressive

That said, aggression is the key to success in all poker disciplines and 6-max NLHE cash games are no exception. Aggressive players can win with the best hand as well as make their opponents fold. Aggression is such a powerful weapon that a number of pros have built their entire careers on its foundation.

This means you should raise almost every hand you decide to play. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing a mediocre hand from the button or a monster from the blinds — take the initiative before the flop and oftentimes keep it up afterwards.

3. Play in Position

At the 6-max tables, do try to play the maximum number of hands from favorable positions. This concept is as important as playing aggressive.

Poker is a game of information which can be best obtained by playing in position. Because of this, you should play stronger hands from the early positions and a more wide range of hands from the late positions. In this way before making hard decisions you will be able to observe and better read your opponents.

From the early positions you should narrow your hand range to middle and higher pairs, strong aces, and suited kings and queens. Meanwhile let yourself improvise when on the button.

4. Believe in Your Opponents

Another golden poker rule is that even the weakest players can have a good hand — don’t forget that. If your opponent is playing solidly and responsibly, take that player’s raises or reraises as a reliable sign and retreat.

If in such situation you’re not sure whether you’re winning, just fold and move on. This is the right move. Smart bets by your opponents indicate they’re looking for value.

5. Isolate the Limpers

There are few pieces of poker advice that begin “never” or “always,” but it is more or less the case that in 6-max games it makes sense never ever to let your opponents see a free flop. Don’t limp yourself and don’t let others do it.

Limpers are usually weak players looking for value with small hands. Don’t let them do it even if you have a monster and are looking for easy profit yourself. By leaving the limper in the pot, you will only have yourself to blame.

If you’re seriously into poker, these strategy tips should not be entirely new to you. However, some basics are always good to remember.

And if you’re looking for a good place to try 6-max NLHE cash games, we recommend an up-and-coming independent site Tonybet Poker. One huge advantage to playing at Tonybet Poker is that the site charges zero rake from its hold’em and PLO cash game tables. What’s more is that being a rather new site it has a solid population of weak players driven by the overwhelming amount of freerolls being offered, which means you’ll have plenty of room for learning and putting these tips to a good use.

Six Plus Hold'em Strategy Games

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Six Plus Hold'em could be the future of Poker. Due to its potential appeal to recreational players, Six Plus Hold'em could one day become more popular than Texas Hold'em Poker. The game of Six Plus Hold'em follows the same rules as Texas Hold'em with a few differences. In Six Plus Hold'em the deck consists of 36 cards (compared to the full 52-card deck dealt in Texas Hold'em). In the game of Six Plus Hold'em, all cards ranking 2, 3, 4, and 5 are removed from play. The chart of hand rankings is slightly different between the two games and basic poker strategy must be adjusted to playing with a smaller deck.

Six Plus Hold’em and Texas Hold'em Comparison

Six Plus Hold’em Strategy

As there are only 36 cards in the deck, the likelihood of being dealt good cards is higher and the odds of getting specific cards dealt in the flop/turn/river are also increased. Although the rules of playing Six Plus Hold'em are the same as those in Texas Hold'em, certain strategy considerations must be adjusted to the smaller deck.

** In Six Plus Hold'em, the odds of being dealt pocket aces are double the odds in Texas Hold'em.

** Flushes are extremely difficult to make, as there are only 9 cards in each suit. As a result, a Flush is ranked higher than a Full House.

** Straights are much easier to make. Therefore, a Straight is ranked lower than Three of a Kind.

** It's easier to make two-pair hands in Six Plus Hold'em.

Six Plus Hold’em Origins and Ambassadors

Where the game of Six Plus Hold'em originated is not entirely clear, but it is highly likely that it made its first major appearance on the cash tables in Macau. It was there that the game was discovered by poker pros Phil Ivey and Tom Dwan. Both have spoken highly of the game and its potential and admitted that they are still in the process of mastering its strategy.

According to Ivey, 6+ Hold'em is 'a little bit more exciting than playing regular No Limit Hold'em because you get to play more hands and there's a lot more luck involved,' Ivey said. 'I think it's a lot more exciting for a new player,' he added.

Despite the differences, Ivey said the game of Six Plus Hold'em is 'still poker, you know. You have to be patient when you need to be patient, and be aggressive when you need to be,' he said.

Why Play Six Plus Hold’em

The game of Six Plus Hold'em Poker is still a novelty but it will appeal to many groups of players:

** Players who are bored with Texas Hold'em and seek a change.

Six Plus Hold'em Strategy Games

** Players eager to learn as many varieties of Poker as possible.

** Players seeking to be the first to master a new game and thereby gain an advantage over other players.

** Recreational players who will be happy to be dealt many more 'good' hands.

Will Six Plus Hold'em appeal to you? The best way to know for sure is by playing this new exciting variety of Poker. You could be the first one to know the ins and outs of the game. Invite your friends to join you for a Six Plus festival of Poker.

Photo of Phil Ivey credit: Flickr upload bot, CC-BY-2.0.