How to Play
Short Deck Hand Rankings
Differences versus No Limit Hold’em and PLO:
- Flush beats a full house
- Aces play as high or low, but as there is no 2-5, A6789 is the low straight. TJQKA remains the high straight.
- Ah, 6h, 7h, 8h, 9h, would therefore be the low straight flush.
Check out the below hand rankings, specific to Short Deck, from strongest to weakest:
Royal flush
A royal flush is an ace high straight flush. For example, A-K-Q-J-10 all of hearts.
Straight flush
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A straight flush is a five-card straight, all in the same suit. For example, 10-9-8-7-6 all of hearts.
Four of a kind
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Four of a kind, or quads, are four cards of equal value. For example, four aces.
Flush
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A flush is any 5 cards, all of the same suit. For example, K-Q-10-8-7 all of spades.
Full house
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A full house contains both three of a kind and a pair. For example, A-A-A-K-K.
Straight
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Five cards of sequential value, but of different suits. For example, 6-7-8-9-10.
Three of a kind
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Three cards of the same value. For example, three aces.
Two pairs
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This is two cards of one value and another two cards of a different value. For example, two aces and two kings.
One Pair
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One pair is two cards of the same value. For example, two aces.
High card
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The hand with the highest card(s) wins. If two or more players hold the highest card, a kicker (an unpaired card, the higher the better) comes into play.