Six-plus hold 'em

Six-plus hold 'em
Alternative namesShort-deck hold 'em
TypeCommunity card poker
Players2-10
SkillsProbability, psychology
Cards36
DeckFrench
Rank (high→low)A K Q J 10 9 8 7 6
PlayClockwise
ChanceHigh

Six-plus hold 'em (also known as short-deck hold 'em and Manila) is a community card poker game variant of Texas hold 'em, where the 2 through 5 cards are removed from the deck. Each player is dealt two cards face down and seeks to make the best five card poker hand from any combination of the seven cards (five community cards and their own two hole cards).[1]

Rules

The rules in terms of betting structures, play of the hand, and showdown are the same as in Texas hold 'em. However, before play begins all cards 2 through 5 are removed (16 cards), thus the total number of cards in the deck is 36. Aces are high, but same as in Texas hold 'em, can make both low and high end of straights. For example, the lowest straight would be (9x-8x-7x-6x-Ax) and the highest (Ax-Kx-Qx-Jx-10x). This changes the probability of hands and alters hand rankings.[2]

Modified hand rankings

Rank Name Example
1 Royal flush Ace of spadesKing of spadesQueen of spadesJack of spades10 of spades
2 Straight flush Jack of clubs10 of clubs9 of clubs8 of clubs7 of clubs
3 Four of a kind King of clubsKing of diamondsKing of heartsKing of spades6 of diamonds
4 Flush† Jack of diamonds9 of diamonds8 of diamondsAce of diamonds6 of diamonds
5 Full house† 6 of spades6 of hearts6 of diamondsKing of clubsKing of hearts
6 Straight† 9 of diamonds8 of spades7 of hearts6 of diamondsAce of clubs
7 Three of a kind† Queen of clubsQueen of spadesQueen of hearts9 of hearts6 of spades
8 Two pair Jack of heartsJack of spadesQueen of clubsQueen of spades7 of hearts
9 One pair 10 of spades10 of hearts8 of spades7 of heartsAce of clubs
10 High card King of diamondsQueen of diamonds7 of spades8 of spades6 of hearts

† Flush ranks higher than full house. In theory, three-of-a-kind ranks higher than a straight as the probability of achieving three-of-a-kind is lower than a straight in short-deck, however recent games have been ranking straight higher than three-of-a-kind which has become standard.[3] Some variations of six-plus hold 'em plays with standard Texas hold 'em hand rankings. When calculating for 5 card six-plus hold 'em where each player gets only 5 cards, straights rank higher than three-of-a-kind.

The 2018 Triton Poker tournament series hosted the first televised six-plus hold 'em tournaments. The first Triton Super High Roller HK$250,000 short deck ante-only event was won by Phil Ivey, earning him US$617,396.[4] The 2018 Triton tournaments ranked straights higher than three-of-a-kind.[5]

History

Also known as, Manila, since 2010 or prior. This game is popular in Australia[6] and among high stakes gamblers in Asia.

In 2015, Phil Ivey and Tom Dwan promoted the game in an online video showing this variant of Texas hold 'em which is frequently played in Macau, Hong Kong and Manila.[7][8]

Notes

  1. ^ "Six Plus Hold'em". PokerVIP. 13 June 2015. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  2. ^ Gheorghe, Florain (14 March 2016). "The New Six Plus Holdem". PokerTube. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  3. ^ DellaFave, Robert (2016-02-25). "Six Plus Holdem Launches - How Will It Impact iPoker Liquidity?". Online Poker Report. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  4. ^ Fast, Erik (2018-05-14). "Phil Ivey Wins Triton Poker Montenegro $250,000 HKD Short Deck Event". cardplayer.com. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
  5. ^ CardsChat Tournament News (2018-05-14). "Phil Ivey Wins 'Short Deck' Poker Tournament in Montenegro for $605K". Cardschat. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
  6. ^ "How to play Manila Poker". 2010-06-12.
  7. ^ Rettmuller, Charles (10 June 2015). ""Six Plus Hold'em" Promoted by Tom Dwan and Phil Ivey". PokerTube. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  8. ^ Weldon, Alex (2015-06-11). "What the Heck is Six-Plus Hold'em?". Part Time Poker. Retrieved 2017-08-28.