Pre-flop
- Instead of blinds, all players must post an ante.
- To start things off, the dealer (button) is required to post an additional button blind.
- The player to the left of the dealer is first to act.
- The minimum pre-flop raise is double the ante.
Flop
- Three communal cards are dealt face up, starting the next round of betting.
- As with pre-flop, the player to the left of the dealer is first to act.
Turn
- A fourth shared card is added, followed by a further round of betting.
River
- The final communal card is dealt, beginning the final round of betting.
Showdown
Players make hands using one or both of their hole cards and the five community cards to make the best hand.
Hand Rankings (differences to standard Texas Hold'em)
Short Deck has the same hand rankings as Hold'em with the exception of the following:
- Flush beats a Full House
- A-6-7-8-9 is a straight (the Ace plays high or low, so 10-J-Q-K-A is also a straight)
- A-6-7-8-9 of the same suit is a straight flush