Short Deck Rules

Short Deck follows a similar format to Texas Hold’em, but with a few crucial differences! Most notably, cards below a 6 are removed, leaving a 36-card deck.

Our guide will quickly get you up to speed, and you’ll soon discover why the game is so popular with modern high-stakes pros!

How does a Short Deck hand play out? 

Pre-flop

• Unlike Texas Hold’em, no blinds are posted.
• Instead of blinds, all players must post an ante.
• To get the action going, the dealer (button) is required to post an additional button ante. This is usually the same value as the regular ante, although may differ.
• The player to the left of the dealer is first to act.
• The minimum pre-flop raise is double the button ante.

Flop

• Three communal cards are dealt face up, starting the next round of betting.
• As with pre-flop, the player to the left of the dealer is first to act.
• The minimum post-flop bet is the value of the normal ante (the mandatory ante which all players committed before a hand was dealt.)

Turn

• A fourth shared card is added, followed by a further round of betting.

River

• The final communal card is dealt, beginning the final round of betting.

Showdown

• As with Texas Hold’em your best five cards play, however in Short Deck:
• Flush beats a full house
• A6789 is a straight (the Ace plays high or low, so TJQKA is also a straight)
• A6789 of same suit is a straight flush 

For the full list of hand rankings, please click here.