Short-Handed Vs. Full Ring Play

Question 0

What is a good way to exploit your shorthanded knowledge online?

Answer 0

Jump into full ring tables that are temporarily short. When the table fills up, play to your blind and go elsewhere.

Question 1

What are some typical features of shorthanded play?

Answer 1

Usually any pair is a good hand and often no one will have anything at all. Bluffing works well and you’ll need to bet and call with all sorts of crazy hands.

Question 2

How much larger are swings in shorthanded games compared to full ring?

Answer 2

Swings in shorthanded games will be more than 50% higher. Beware of tilt.

Question 3

What are some key conceptual differences from full ring?

Answer 3

1. Bluff and semi-bluff more often.
2. Call down more often.
   
   • Calling the river heads up with any pair or ace-high is often correct.
3. Value bet more often.
4. Play fewer preflop drawing hands.
5. Any pair is much stronger.
   
   • Second pair on the flop is a very good hand heads up and you must go to showdown.
6. Vary your play more often.
7. Respect position.
   
   • More important in shorthanded games.
8. Be more aggressive.
9. Always play solid poker.
   
   • Tight is right preflop.
   • Never call raises without “premium” cards or defend your blind more than half the time unless you know what you’re doing.
   • If you miss the board against multiple opponents, fold early.

Question 4

What type of hands gain value from full ring to shorthanded play?

Answer 4

Medium Aces (AT-A7)
Medium Pairs (JJ-77)
Trouble Hands (e.g. KJ, QT)

Question 5

What are the reasons that medium aces go up in value in shorthanded games?

Answer 5

• You are less likely to be dominated by a bigger ace or pocket pair.
• Aces, especially big aces, win showdowns unimproved.
• Hitting either card is usually enough to win.

Question 6

How should you play medium pairs in short handed games and why?

Answer 6

Raise and reraise preflop to isolate. They play great heads up. They dominate many hands like medium aces and kings and can win pots unimproved.

Question 7

How do trouble hands play in shorthanded games?

Answer 7

Hitting either card is often enough to win. Don’t cold call raises with these hands because the chance that you’re dominated goes up significantly. These hands can also use an Ace on the flop as a scare card heads up.

Question 8

Which type of hands lose value from full ring to shorthanded games and why?

Answer 8

Small pairs (55-22)
You'll be a small favorite or a dog almost every hand. You won't have the odds to hit a set cheaply. You won't know where you are after the flop and through the later streets. Players bluff a lot and low pairs can't take the heat. 

You can still steal and occasionally 3-bet with these hands.

Question 9

Which types of hands have the same value in full ring and shorthanded games?

Answer 9

Big pairs (QQ)+
Really big cards (AJ+)
Small aces (A6-A2)
Suited cards

Question 10

What are the positive aspects of suited cards?

Answer 10

Semi bluffing (draws can steal orphaned pots)
Backup outs
Randomization