Starting hand values change dramatically in Short Deck:
Premium Hands:
• High pocket pairs (AA, KK, QQ, JJ) - Still very strong
• Suited connectors and one-gaps - Much stronger due to straight/flush potential
• High suited cards - Flush draws are very valuable
Key Strategic Changes:
• Suited hands gain significant value
• Connected cards are much stronger
• Drawing hands improve dramatically
• Folding pre-flop becomes less common
Position Matters More:
With more drawing and action, position becomes even more crucial for controlling pot size and information flow.