The reduced number of players at a table automatically increases the aggressiveness and value of the cards, therefore, when migrating from full ring to 6-Max, some mistakes become more serious, and some hits become more important, but most importantly, the dynamics are completely different.
It is recommended for those who are starting out in poker to start in full ring, as it requires less post-flop skill. This article is more specific for those who already have a basic knowledge of the full ring game and now want to migrate.
1 – Avoid using the Short Stack Strategy (SSS)
You are a winning player and you want to make the most money. So when you shove, you want to make the most profit possible from that play. The strategy of getting in short (SSS) doesn't work in 6-max because you play 4 hands for free and 2 you call (in the blinds). In other words, stealing blinds is very effective. Playing SSS you can't do that. 6-Max is different from FR. Remember that!
2 – Play in position
Position play is just as important (or more so) here than in other forms of poker. Always try to steal the blinds in position. And defend your blinds when you think the villains are stealing too many blinds.
3 – Avoid entering as a limp
There is no such thing as limping here. Don’t do it with good players or you’ll get an instant “donk” notice. Here the pre-flop play is RAISE or FOLD! You’ve probably already learned this if you’ve read our article. Avoid Limping. You want to know where you stand, you want to put the villains in a range of hands. With a limp you have no information whatsoever about where you stand at the moment, it is a very weak play. Remember that you have to play the players. When the flop comes, the first thing you should ask yourself is: “What am I losing/winning here?” In short, this play is horrible, if you like it, 6-max is definitely not the place to use it.
4 – Open your range in late positions
In late position (LP), i.e. Cut-off (CO) and button (BTN), you should open your range, this is where you will make your biggest profits. If you use a tracker Hold'em Manager (HM) and PokerTracker (PT), I advise you to see where your game is most profitable. If it is not in LP, you have leaks in your game! Study them and improve them.
Here, as mentioned, you can have an open range, 22+, ATo+, KJo+, QJo+, AXs, suited connectors and if the table is folded, you can open raise even with AXo.
Your loosest play should be in LP, not EP (early position). If it isn't, you're not playing in the most profitable way.
In 6-Max, it is likely that after your raise, no one will have a good enough hand to play (then you will steal the blinds) or, if you receive a call, your CBET will be successful most of the time, since in 66% of the times the villain will not hit the flop and you will have position on him.
5 – Reduce your range in early positions
As the positions get tighter, your range should start to close. In UTG+1 play tighter, because you will probably play post-flop OOP (out of position). Here you don't want to steal the blinds, so only play hands that you really think you are ahead. KQo, AXo and QJo are easy folds!
The ideal would be to play here with ATo+ and also play pocket pairs for set value, a play where you open the game with pocket pairs for value, hoping to get a set, or when you call a pre-flop bet for the same reason. In other words, you raise, and if you get a set, you can take down a good pot, if nothing hits you just insta-fold!
6 – Only play premium hands in UTG and in the Blinds
In UTG you should be even tighter than in UTG+1, here you should play NIT, that is, more than tight. Folding KQs, AXs, QJs and suited connectors are standard. The ideal is to play with AJs+. Pocket pairs continue to be interesting for set value, as explained above.
In the blinds you have the worst possible position, even UTG has position on you. So this is where you should play rock solid. Your “A” game should be played here. Play with TT+ and AQo+. If you want, it is also interesting to play pocket pairs for set value.
Finally, it is important to emphasize that poker does not have a set recipe, as there are infinite variables to consider, such as your image at the table, the style of your opponents, notes, and stakes. Nothing written here should be considered a rule, but rather a basis to be followed as a strategy, which can be changed if this means more profitability.
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Would you like to know how to play this tournament?
Hello Jose, which tournament?
Thank you
It is recommended to play AJ+ in UTG and be even more solid in the Blinds. However, in the Blinds it is recommended to play TT+ and AQo+. So, don't you end up being more solid in UTG than in BB and SB?
TT+ and AQ+ is a smaller (and stronger) range than AJ+, so you are being more solid in the blinds and not UTG.