6-max poker at low limits

Shorthanded Texas Hold'em or 6-max is quite a unique game especially when played with low limits where it is popular.

Your starting hands should be the foundation for how you play the game. At 6-max games, you typically play against 1 or 2 players post flop. If your opponents play somehow too loose with shaky starting hands, tighten up a bit and set your starting hands with better expected values. Against such adversaries who often lose, you'd gain more chances to win. Just keep your VPIP under 30.

In playing 6-max, raise any ace with a kicker of 10 or higher. Likewise with King-Queen, King-Jack, and Queen-Jack offsuit and downto nines if suited. With any 2 cards 10 and higher, you should limp and you can play any 2 cards 9 or higher from the last two seats.

You can play suited connectors from 65 from any seat and any hand can be played if it contains 2 suited cards 8 and higher or any suited aces. Pocket 6's and 7's can be played from any seat, but smaller pocket pairs should only be placed if 2 limpers are ahead of you, so you get good odds to get a set.

At a passive table, your hands from late position can be extended to the lower pairs or lower suited connectors. Should those hands be raised, you should be careful as stealing the blinds can be difficult in such short-handed game. At this level, most players will call your raise with anything in the small and big blind. You could slightly stretch your requirements after 2 have folded, but remember that you still have other opponents left. Raise when it's narrowed down to one player.

This game is characterized by aggressive players, more so in higher limits. Preflop raises are typically met by at least 2 callers. You'd know if you're behind when you raise 2 high cards but miss the flop. It is advised to continuation bet on the flop most of the time.

Bets are seldom met with raises or check-raises. With a lot of calling stations, your best hand possibly will get callers. Although if there's an ace with 2 rags on the flop, and you raised with KQ, your opponents can't compete unless they have an ace. Because of regular calling, raising increases your odds to hit a set.

You should be very aggressive if you hit your flop. Because players are aggressive, expect to be called down with a gutshot, middle to bottom pairs, or an overcard. Avoid letting them bad beat you by pulling back your money from them whenever you can.

Your best choice would be top pair with a mediocre kicker in a full table. You could also check raise as it is a profitable technique. Late players usually pay you off after your check-raise. This puts off players from stealing pots, earning you more money. It is rare to check-raise with top pair. Expect admiration from other players if you do so. Make sure you use your judgment accordingly depending on the situation.

With shorthanded poker, you can win a lot of money if you stay aggressive but remember that your opponents are also doing the same. Also remember to adjust to your opponents. Just keep these guidelines in mind and you'll be in good shape.