Shorthanded poker is rather different from other forms of poker because it will typically involve six or less players at any given time and the effect of this is that the players must be far more proactive to win the game.
It is a very exciting form of poker indeed, and little wonder then that so many of the top poker players happen to excel at this particular variation of the game. Shorthand matches tend to be much less rigid in their execution and require a lot more input and skill.
Another attractive feature of shorthand poker is that it is possible to win larger sums of money from the less experienced players a lot more often. The reason for this is very straightforward indeed: you will be playing more hands and therefore you will need to make more decisions to survive and thrive in the match. A good decision will pay off substantial dividends.
The psychology involved in the shorthand match also means that the player must be forever sensitive to the tides of the game and therefore, you will not be able to coast along relying on nothing more than some generic advice. In other words, every match must be judged on its own merits.
Basic Strategy
If you are wondering what particular skills you need to thrive at shorthand poker, the answer is very straightforward: aggression. Because every hand is higher then this means you are force to play more hands each and every time you get involved and so you need to be very aggressive.
In other words then, you need to raise and then keep raising in order to isolate a weaker opponent and separate him from the rest of the pack. In the Limit Hold'Em variation you need to sniff out an opportunity and then pursue it without mercy or hesitation.
If you make a mistake or suffer a bad beat don’t let it affect your play – forgive own mistakes (but learn from them!) and try to relax and relaise that bad beats are just a part of the game – if you dwell on them and let yourself get tilted you only set yoruself up for a fall!
Hand Selection
It is important to appreciate that the rules governing the value of a starting hand for a shorthand version of poker differs from the regular style of playing. Small pairs and big connectors enjoy a boost in value, small suited connectors are depreciated.
You will also find that during the course of a short hand match you will not have to worry about top pair and kickers as much as you would encounter during the course of a full-ring match. If your rivals are giving you some action with a hand such as J-x against a flop of Q-J-4 then for the overwhelming majority of the time you can always rely on Q-2 to see you through. This is the polar opposite of a fully fledged game where that hand would raise eyebrows.
Beware of the small suited connectors because the pot will very rarely give you the necessary odds needed to let you play before the flop. If you happen to be on a button during a game which involves five hands, even if there are other players who are involved you are best to toss the hand.
The Blinds
If you are in blinds and find that the value of the pot has been increased then you can breathe a little easier and therefore you should focus solely on trying to protect as many hands as possible.
Consider the following example: if you were embroiled in a full ring match then having an A-8 off suit during the big blind would render the under the gun player to fold against any player except the most mediocre poker player. In the short-hand version of the game , this is a hand that you will constantly use to raise and never fold.
Early Position
Make sure that you do not make your playing style too easy to spot or predict otherwise you are simply asking for trouble. Make sure you shake things up by limping sometimes, and other times raising with any hand you have. If you make a habit of only raising with a strong hand then this means that the rivals will simply fold before the pot will get larger.
Late Position
During the later stages of the game the emphasis should be on raising or re-raising the hands, and even a hand such as J-10 can be used as a raising hand and this is because of the extra boost in value you will receive by taking the lead, and your positional advantage post flop.
Post-Flop
When you are on the flop you must pursue the advantage and strive every forward to keep that edge going otherwise you will lose your momentum and falter. Remember that short hand poker is designed simply to win pots purely by sheer act of will and of aggression. You can’t be a nit here, you’ll get blinded away waiting for the nuts, and when you do pick up a monster hand you’ll get no action. Be aggressive, take the lead, and have fun!
