Short Deck (6+) Hold'em Calculator
Calculate Short Deck poker odds with 36 cards. Flush beats full house, A-6-7-8-9 is a valid straight.
Formula:36-card deck: Equity varies from standard Hold'em
Short Deck (6+) Rules
- 36 cards: No 2s, 3s, 4s, or 5s
- Flush beats Full House (it's harder to make!)
- A-6-7-8-9 is the lowest straight (wheel)
- Flush draw = 5 outs (not 9 like regular Hold'em)
Cards that improve your hand
Cards left to come
31 (flop) or 30 (turn) in 6+
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Quick-start with common scenarios
Understanding Short Deck Poker
Short Deck (6+) Hold'em removes all 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s, leaving a 36-card deck. This dramatically changes hand equities and rankings.
Key Rule Change: Flush beats Full House because with only 9 cards per suit, flushes are mathematically harder to make. The A-6-7-8-9 straight (wheel) replaces A-2-3-4-5.
Strategic Adjustments: Flush draws are weaker (5 outs vs 9). Sets are more common (~17% vs ~12%). Connected hands gain value. Be careful with dominated hands as the deck is more connected overall.
Antes Structure: Short Deck often uses antes instead of blinds, creating more action and different positional dynamics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does flush beat full house in Short Deck?
With only 9 cards per suit instead of 13, flushes are mathematically harder to make than full houses. Hand rankings are adjusted to reflect true rarity. A flush in short deck has only 5 outs ($100 pots can be massive when flush draws hit).
How does the A-6-7-8-9 straight work?
In Short Deck, the Ace can play low to complete the lowest straight: A-6-7-8-9. Since there are no 2-5, this replaces A-2-3-4-5 as the wheel. The Ace still plays high for T-J-Q-K-A.
Why are sets so common in Short Deck?
With 36 cards instead of 52, pocket pairs flop sets approximately 17% of the time (vs. 12% in regular Hold'em). This makes playing big pairs more volatile and tricky.
How should I adjust my strategy for Short Deck?
1) Value flush draws less (only 5 outs). 2) Be cautious with sets when flush possible. 3) Straights are more common due to connected board textures. 4) Big pairs are less dominant preflop.
What are the best starting hands in Short Deck?
AA is still best, followed by connected broadway cards (AK, KQ, QJ). Suited connectors like JTs, T9s gain value. Small pocket pairs lose value (can't flop straights with 2-5 gone).
How this works
Calculations follow the published mathematics of the game — combinatorics for cards, probability theory for dice, and expected-value accounting for wagers. Results are verified against independent references (primarily Wizard of Odds). No calculation here is an opinion or recommendation; it is arithmetic applied to the rules of the game.
What this tool can’t do
When to consult a professional
This tool computes probability and expected value. It is not a betting system and cannot predict the outcome of any individual wager. If gambling is causing problems for you or someone you know, call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER.
Sources
- [1]Wizard of Odds — Michael Shackleford, ASAIndustrywizardofodds.comAccessed Apr 21, 2026
Actuary; widely cited casino-game probability reference. Used for house-edge and EV verification.
- [2]National Council on Problem GamblingOfficial sourcencpgambling.orgAccessed Apr 21, 2026
Responsible-gambling guidance and 1-800-GAMBLER helpline.
Joseph OrdunaFounder & Software Engineer
Full-stack software engineer specializing in embedded systems, web architecture, and AI/ML. Founder of Practical Web Tools. Built the gesture-controlled drone IP acquired by KD Interactive (Aura Drone, sold on Amazon).