There are many reasons why poker is one of the biggest games worldwide. It’s straightforward and easy to learn, so it appeals to beginners. However, it still rewards those who put in the effort to improve, as evidenced by its massive competitive scene. Poker tournaments like the World Series of Poker have million-dollar prize pools and are streamed worldwide. Having a low skill floor yet a high skill ceiling is just one of the reasons poker is so popular. It is also easy to set up and play, particularly with online poker.
One of the more underappreciated reasons poker is so popular is the variety. Nowadays, poker mostly refers to Texas Holdem, but that does not mean it’s the only way to play. There are tons of poker variants, each with their own rules and game mechanics. In fact, Texas Holdem even has variants of its own. This poker guide will cover one of the most popular forms of Texas Holdem: 6-max cash games. It will cover what it is, how it differs from regular Holdem, and how your strategy should change accordingly.
6-max poker
As the name suggests, 6-max poker is a variant of Texas Holdem that allows a maximum of six players. The most popular cash game format, 6-max, is prevalent, especially online. Its counterpart is full-ring, which typically allows nine or ten people at the table. This format is largely obsolete, with many websites not even offering it anymore.
6-max vs. Full-ring
Having three or four fewer players has a much larger impact on the game than you might think. Here are several differences between 6-max and full-ring games:
6-max tips: Pre-flop
Now that you understand the difference between 6-max and full-ring, here are some tips for the most important round in poker, the pre-flop:
6-max tips: Post-flop
The post-flop part of poker is complex, and even computers have not fully figured it out. With that in mind, here are a few two 6-max betting tips for success:
The best way to play 6-max cash games
We hope this article taught you how to play texas holdem in 6-max cash games. The best places to find these games are sites like GGPoker, the world’s largest poker room. Online poker is easier to access, has a large player base with games of every stake, and even allows you to use poker tracking software and heads-up displays to analyze your game.