Shorthanded No Limit Hold'em Strategy

Short-Handed No Limit Holdem tables are an increasingly popular choice at many poker sites. Players used to full tables often fail to make some basic adjustments when playing 6-max games – costing them many pots. This article looks at the basic strategy adjustments involved in short-handed NL Holdem to help you start winning today.

We start by looking at the key differences between full-ring and short handed games, covering the relative importance of position and choosing whether to raise or call. Next hand selection and post flop play are covered. Finally we will look at how to adjust to the tendencies of your opponents at a short-handed table.

Position

Position is relatively more important in short handed games than at a full table. To understand why we need to look at how position benefits players in the full ring game. Since the best hand wins at showdown, the benefit of acting last is to make more profit when ahead and lose the least when opponent’s actions show that you are probably behind.

At a short handed table there is less likelihood of any one player holding a premium hand. This means that the value of position is greater – there will be more opportunities to steal pots when opponents miss the flop.

Relative Hand Strength

Since relative strength of starting hands goes down at a short handed table raising to take the initiative becomes more important. Since there are fewer players it is optimal to raise with any hand that you wish to play. In turn this means that re-raising hands also go down in value.

Since opponents will be raising with a collection of small pairs, unpaired high cards and medium strength aces they will often not be able to withstand a re-raise before the flop. Combining re-raising with the benefits of position can lead to an even bigger advantage at the tables.

Differences in Post Flop Play

Players who are experienced in short handed no-limit Holdem play understand that post flop play involves a markedly different strategy than in the full ring game. With relatively fewer premium hands the range with which an individual can bet and raise after the flop expands.

Where second pair may be dangerous in a full table this can be a candidate for value betting against the right opponent in a 6-max game. Whether there are draws on the flop and the tendencies of specific opponents will dictate whether to continue with the hand on later streets when you do meet resistance.

Common Errors

Common errors in short handed games include playing too tight for the number of opponents, playing too many hands which are easily dominated (such as weak aces) and calling bets rather than raising. Since there is a bigger likelihood that your opponents missed the flop betting can often win uncontested – players who choose to check and call are missing this opportunity.

Conversely some opponents will always bet the flop – you can take advantage of these types by calling this bet with the intention of re-raising on a later street. Although this strategy is more risky (as your opponent may make a hand on the turn) it can be a good opportunity to win a bigger pot.

To summarize, short handed no-limit Holdem games involve playing weaker hands than at a full table, particularly from position. Since opponents are less likely to hold premium hands it is optimal to raise any hand you consider playing. Many opponents make errors, including both playing too tight and betting every flop. Noticing and adjusting to these errors will increase your profits over time. 

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