Your Top Tips for a 6-Max Newbie

[Derek in NYC]

Dont overvalue ace-rag. Those hands still suck in all but the perfect conditions.

Middle pairs are much more valuable due to their showdown value, and can be used to 3-bet loose raisers.

[sammy_g]

My advice for new 6 maxers:

Don't try to play a totally different way than you do at a full table when first starting out. Eventually you'll get a feel for how the 6 max games play, and you can open up and add some hands and become more aggressive. Until then, pretend you're playing a full game where the first four players folded.

Find one of the starting hand charts on the forum to get a sense of what hands to open with from what positions.

Value bet more in these games. People will call with all sorts of junk. Particularly value bet on the river, even when scare cards come. This one is really important.

Rarely open limp. Rarely limp behind just one limper (raise or fold).

Run good. Have fun.

[Fianchetto]

You should almost never open limp. Open raise if you are going to play the hand.

In shorthanded games generally the pots are smaller with fewer players contesting them. Drawing hands like small suited connectors lose some of their appeal because of this, while hands that can win unimproved go up in value, i.e. ace high, pairs.

You want big cards and the button.

[xCEO]

I am also new to 6-max and I try to read a lot about it. Here is a very good article that might help you:

Abul Jalib - SH

Also I read this guide:

6-max

[colgin]

Thanks everyone. These are all useful tips and the links help as well.

[sfer]

Figure out who folds and who will always take a pair/Ace to showdown. Punish both.

[fyodor]

Don't coldcall. 3Bet.

[etizzle]

similar to sfers.

figure out who calls dry A high flops and check-folds the turn, and who always has an ace when they just call on such a flop.

[alfatcat]

A couple of related question for someone also testing the waters on 6 max.

Are there any "classic" posts that I should be reading? A FAQ?

And what is the best way to handle PT when you play both full and 6 max? separate database, filters, something else?

I know these questions have been hashed and rehashed here, but I didn't find the magic bullet within the first several pages on any of the searches I did.

Thanks!

[legend42]

Keep track of your opponents' headsup tendencies, especially when you have position on them (raiser vs. blind situations). The turn is the key street. Whether to bet or check behind (with overcards, draws, mediocre made hands, complete air, etc.) are some of the most important decisions you'll make. And it really depends on the opponent. Good luck.