There are two meanings for the term “Short handed” in poker games. The one most frequently applied, is when players are playing on a ring table comprising of only 6 players, however the phrase can also relate to the endgame in a tournament or single table Sit’n'Go, where the number of players has decreased as the competition progresses – ultimately resulting in a “Heads Up” scenario. Short handed poker is an area of the game that every poker player will experience at some stage, and should learn how best to manage to their favor.
The transition from playing nine or ten handed games to a short handed table can be quite difficult for some players, as less emphasis is placed on hand values and more on position and controlling the betting. This is because with six players to a table, there is a lower probability of getting premium hands dealt than there are with nine players. Therefore, being able to manipulate the betting pre-flop and dominate the later rounds is a key element to successful short handed play.
If you were playing on a full ring table, you would wait until you got to know some of the characteristics of the players before making any aggressive actions – when playing short handed, you need to play your best hands assertively, but have a shorter period of time to assess how your opponents will react. One shortfall often seen in short handed play is to call rather than bet in order to get to the next card cheaply, but in the six player version of the game, a higher proportion of pots are won uncontested and this is achieved by betting a higher amount than you may consider necessary.
The same increase in aggressive betting applies when you are reaching the endgame of a tournament. Your opening hand selection can afford to be a lot looser as you angle for the best betting position and, depending on the dynamics of the table, you will find yourself involved with weaker hands – although not necessarily more of them.
Another factor that is more prevalent in short handed play is psychology. You have to try to determine the styles of your opponents play without revealing yours. In tournament play, you may have been on a table for a period of time with some of the players and if you have been able to identify players who (for example) only bet when they are on the button or are in big blind, it will be advantageous to you to know whether to bet into a player or fold your turn. Deliberate hesitation, apparent irregular play and frequently changing strategies and betting patterns are vital to disguise your tendencies and will frustrate their attempts to read your game.
Playing smart and disciplined is the general rule for all forms of poker, but in short handed Hold´em, it is the better balanced aggressive player who will benefit the most.
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