Why do people prefer short-handed play?

[PuppyKicker]

I've never been a short-handed player except sometimes live and in home games. Online, I always go with 10-handed games.

Now I am beginning to wonder if this is an error. I've always thought that 6 handed games would be more difficult because:

1. It seems it would be more difficult to build a pot.

2. The blinds hit you faster and harder.

3. Mistakes would be greatly magnified.


Now I think I am probably wrong on all of these points, but I don't know why. I'd like to know why 6 handed is better than 10 handed, from some people with experience at both. I know that it's said that the players are much worse at, say, Party in the 6 handed 5-10 than in the 10 handed 5-10, but is this really true??

Any advice or insight appreciated.

[etizzle]

[ QUOTE ]
3. Mistakes would be greatly magnified.

[/ QUOTE ]

magnification of your opponents' mistakes means more $ for you.

[lefty rosen]

Way more birds, plus you have to truly know how to play poker even at low limits. Many low limit winning players just play Sklansky group 1, 2 or 3 hands only. If you don't play more than that at short table your win rate will be pretty poor....

[joker122]

the players are worse.

[klassicd]

I used to primarily play the 10 handed game also but I am now making a big switch to the limit short-handed game for a few reasons.

1. Short-handed play is much more difficult. This means once you start to become good you can make cash at a faster rate then a 10 handed game.

2. It is a funnier game to play. The hands come in faster and there is more bluffing.

[Ianco15]

There is more skill involved, so better players can make money more consistenly than in a full ring game. Also sh games move at a faster pace which makes it more exciting to play.

[ZBTHorton]

Once you get adjusted to the strategy..it's more lucrative. It's much easier to take advantage of a fish when he's in 40% of the hands.

It also helps those of us with rakeback. =)

[Schneids]

I personally find it to be much more fun. I'm pretty sure I could earn more money multi-tabling 15/30 fulls on Party but I'm willing to give up some earn for a little more enjoyment.

[HajiShirazu]

I prefer SH play because the opponents are almost universally worse than their full ring counterparts at the same limit.
Full ring is a little more relaxing, though.