Rather than playing at the standard table with nine or ten players, many poker players choose to play short-handed poker, playing against five other players at six-handed poker tables. While the game is played the same regardless of the number of participants at a table, your strategy for playing against a lesser number of players must change to compensate. This guide explains how to play six-handed poker be it in a ring game or a tournament.

Before joining a six-handed game or tournament, it's important to know the differences between six-handed and nine-handed poker. Less players often will mean quicker hands, faster blinds and, in tournaments, less places paid out at the end.http://www.thehendonmob.com/poker_tips/playing_six_handed_sng

Similarly, as there are less players, there is less of a chance to receive or make monster hands. Along with the fact that the game is more cut-throat than a standard game, how you approach the game must change. There are certain things that you should keep in mind when playing six-handed, both dos and don'ts to adapt. Before you begin, it's important to know the differences between six-handed and nine-handed poker games, what to do in six-handed poker and what not to do in six-handed poker.

In addition to the obvious difference of less people at a table, six-handed poker games have a few additional differences that players should be aware of before they join a game.

1. When playing a nine-handed poker game or tournament, blinds may be raised every 10 or 15 minutes, where as in six-handed games, especially six-handed turbo games, blinds may increase every three-to-six minutes. This makes for a faster total game.
2. Less players also means less places will be paid at the end of a tournament. In a nine-person tournament or game, the top three of four places may be paid while in many six-handed games, only the top two players will be paid.
3. Similarly, with less players at each table, the hands are played faster as it only requires six players to act rather than nine. Along the same lines, with less players the blinds will reach each player sooner, making for a quicker game.
4. As six-handed games are not as popular as the standard nine-handed games and also take a bit of extra attention when playing, most games will feature seasoned and experienced players. Switching from nine-handed to six-handed poker is much more difficult that the other way around, making it a less popular choice for newer players.http://www.sixhanded.com/six-handed-primer.html

While the game itself is played the same way, how you play the game should be altered to account for the change in players from nine to six. Among other things, you should:

1. Treat the game as if it is the final table of a large tournament. Make good decisions, thinking each hand could be your last.
2. Loosen up your game only slightly. Less players means less of a chance people will hit monster hands. You don't have to play each hand, but should play about 10-20% more starting hands in six-handed poker than you would in nine-handed poker.
3. Play aggressively and confidently. Sitting back and limping into pots will not cut it. If you normally would call a bet, you should be raising in six-handed poker.
4. Play your position, making bets and calling bets when you are sitting in one of the blind positions.
5. Steal blinds when you can, raising the pot and forcing those who were forced to bet the blinds fold should you be holding a good set of pocket cards. Similarly, defend your blinds should another player raise you. Only however call another player should your cards have the strength to speak for themselves.http://www.sixhanded.com/basic-ground-rules.html http://www.learn-texas-holdem.com/questions/playing-at-six-handed-tables.htm

Just as there are certain things you should do when playing six-handed poker, there are a few things that you should not do. Remember that once you are out, you are out. One mistake can cost you the game, so keep that in mind when making decisions.

1. Don't play passively as your opponents will see that and instantly take advantage of it. This includes limping into a pot when you have a drawing hand or simply calling bets. Stick to betting and folding, skip the middle area.
2. Along the same lines, don't call a raise or re-raise unless you are holding a very strong hand. Your opponent likely is holding a great hand and calling with a moderate hand can likely lead to losing the pot.
3. Don't slow play monster hands. Be confident when you bet with a strong hand and bet big. If you are holding a high pair, ace-king or ace-queen, bet high.
4. Don't bluff. Six-handed poker is quick and to the point. More often than not bluffing will not steal pots and will backfire in the end. Stick to playing your cards.
5. Don't bet big unless you are prepared to go all-in. If the hand is good enough to risk your entire chip stack, then bet, but don't go out on a limb looking for a draw.http://www.sixhanded.com/basic-ground-rules.html http://www.learn-texas-holdem.com/questions/playing-at-six-handed-tables.htm