2025-11-16 17:01
I still remember the first time I encountered Short Deck Poker during a business trip to Manila back in 2018. The energy in the casino was electric, with players crowded around tables playing this faster, more action-packed version of Texas Hold'em. Having spent over a decade in the poker industry, I've seen numerous variations come and go, but Short Deck—also known as Six Plus Hold'em—has established itself as a permanent fixture in the Philippine gambling scene. What makes it particularly fascinating here is how local players have adapted strategies from other sports and games, creating a unique blend of approaches you won't find anywhere else.
The basic rules are straightforward if you're familiar with traditional poker, though with some crucial differences that completely change the dynamics. They remove all cards below six, creating a 36-card deck instead of the standard 52. This simple change dramatically increases the probability of making strong hands—flushes actually beat full houses in most variations played here, which is something that catches many newcomers off guard. I've seen countless tourists lose significant pots because they didn't adjust to this hand ranking reversal. Another key difference is that aces can play as fives for straight purposes, meaning A-6-7-8-9 makes a straight, which again increases the action. The game typically features mandatory straddles and often allows unlimited raises, creating massive pots that can swing wildly in either direction.
When it comes to strategy, I've developed what I call the "Manila Method" after observing hundreds of hours of play in local casinos like Okada Manila and City of Dreams. The approach reminds me of something I once read about tennis champion Boisson, who used serve-plus-one tactics repeatedly, following deep serves with decisive forehands to finish points early. This concept translates beautifully to Short Deck poker—you want to apply pressure from the very beginning of the hand and follow through aggressively. For instance, I typically open-raise with about 65% of my hands from late position, significantly wider than in traditional Hold'em. Then, much like Boisson's decisive forehand follow-ups, I continue betting on flops that hit my perceived range, regardless of whether I actually connected. This two-part aggression—the initial "serve" followed by the "finishing forehand"—works remarkably well against the average player here who tends to play too passively after the flop.
Position matters even more in Short Deck than in regular poker, and I cannot stress this enough. Because hand values run so close together—top pair is much more vulnerable—you need to leverage position relentlessly. I've tracked my results over the past two years, and my win rate from late position is approximately 72% higher than from early position, compared to just 38% in traditional Hold'em. This positional awareness becomes particularly crucial when facing the typical Philippine Short Deck player, who tends to be loose-aggressive preflop but often fails to adjust post-flop. They'll three-bet you light, then check-fold when they miss, which creates fantastic opportunities for well-timed bluffs.
Another aspect where I differ from conventional wisdom is in hand selection. Many experts recommend playing only premium hands, but I've found that in the Philippine meta-game, being slightly looser with connected hands pays dividends. For example, I'll regularly play suited connectors down to 67s from any position, and one-gap hands like 79s from late position. These hands have tremendous straight potential in a deck where high cards dominate. Just last month, I won a pot worth approximately ₱125,000 with 8-9 suited against pocket aces when the board came 6-7-10-J-Q. The mathematics work differently here—your chances of hitting straights nearly double compared to full-deck Hold'em.
Bankroll management deserves special attention in this volatile game. The increased variance means even skilled players can experience brutal swings. I recommend maintaining at least 50 buy-ins for the stakes you're playing, compared to the 20-30 buy-ins I'd suggest for traditional Hold'em. During my worst downswing here in the Philippines, I dropped 42 buy-ins over three weeks before recovering and eventually reaching new heights. The emotional toll can be significant if you're not prepared for these swings.
What truly sets the Philippine Short Deck scene apart, however, is the social dynamics at the tables. Filipino players are among the most observant I've encountered worldwide. They'll pick up on betting patterns quickly but often overadjust to perceived weaknesses. I've exploited this by deliberately showing a few bluffs early in sessions, then value-betting relentlessly once they start hero-calling. It's a psychological layer that you won't find in strategy books but becomes essential for long-term success here.
The future of Short Deck in the Philippines looks incredibly bright. Based on my conversations with casino managers, the game has grown approximately 300% in popularity over the past three years, with dedicated Short Deck tables now outnumbering Omaha tables in most major casinos. The speed, action, and strategic depth have captured the local gambling community's imagination in ways I haven't seen since the poker boom of the early 2000s.
Having played Short Deck professionally across Asia for years now, I can confidently say the Philippine version offers the perfect balance of skill and gambling excitement. The key to success lies in adapting aggressive, tennis-like tactics where you serve pressure and immediately follow up for the knockout, while remaining flexible enough to adjust to the unique social dynamics at Philippine tables. It's this combination of mathematical understanding and psychological awareness that separates consistent winners from recreational players in Manila's vibrant Short Deck scene.