Swap Holdem
Swap Hold’em is a new option on Stars’ games menu that is played mostly like Texas Hold’em, but with a draw poker component. Like in standard hold’em, each player is first dealt two hole cards. Swap Hold'em looks like regular six-max hold'em, although PokerStars has released special table designs to play host to the game. Players buy in for up to 100 big blinds and post blinds as per. Jan 03, 2021 Swap Hold’em is a new cash game variant currently offered in limited markets and at PokerStars.net. The game is the same as standard NL Hold’em game, but with one difference. At any point during a hand, a player has the option to swap one or both of their hole cards before electing to check, raise, or fold. Swap Hold'em is a great twist on the world’s favorite poker game, Texas Hold’em. The twist is that before any player has the option to fold, they are first given the chance to swap out one or both of their hole cards for new ones. Players can swap once per hand, at any point in the hand (either pre- or post-flop) unless they are all-in. Swap Hold’em plays identically to Texas Hold’em rules, but with one major difference: before any player has the option to fold, they are first given the chance to swap out one or both of their hole cards for new ones. Players can swap once per hand, at any point in the hand (either pre- or post-flop).
6+ Hold’em is a popular 'short deck' poker format that plays much like Texas Hold’em, but with a few exciting differences:
What Is Swap Hold'em
- All cards lower than a six are removed from the deck
- Everyone posts an ante and only the button posts a blind - known as the 'button blind'
- A flush beats a full-house and Ace, 6, 7, 8, 9 is classified as a straight
Available exclusively at PokerStars 6+ Hold’em is your chance to play an action-packed variant loved by high-stakes players around the world.
The Rules of 6+ Hold’em
All 6+ Hold’em games use a 36-card deck (with all cards lower than a 6 removed), which is shuffled before every hand is dealt. Games also use a 'button blind' structure: every player posts an ante, and the player seated at the button position is the only one who posts a blind – meaning there is only one blind per hand, rather than traditional small/big blind format.
The action starts with the player seated to the left of the button. Each hand then plays out according to Texas Hold’em rules, with pre-flop, flop, turn and river betting rounds.
If you’ve played Texas Hold’em games before, the rules of 6+ Hold’em are easy to follow.
But don’t forget: contrary to regular Texas Hold'em games, in 6+ Hold’em a flush beats a full-house. A five-card hand consisting of Ace, 6, 7, 8, 9 (any suit) is also deemed a straight. All other hand rankings remain the same.
Learn How to Play 6+ Hold'em for Free
If you want to learn how to play 6+ Hold'em, then download the PokerStars software and join any of the free poker games where you can play online against other players. Unlike our real money poker games, since there is nothing at stake, you can be comfortable learning the ropes of the game and all the rules of 6+ Hold'em. We hope to see you in our poker room, and good luck at the tables!
As well as 6+ Hold’em, we also offer many other poker variants. See our Poker Games page to learn more.
If you have any questions, please contact Support.
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PokerStars is always looking to push the envelope with new online poker variants. This time around, PokerStars is taking a feature from a previous game and creating a new cash game variants.
Swap Holdem
According to a release issued from PokerStars on Tuesday, Swap Hold’em is now available in limited markets. This game takes a feature from Power Up and creates a new limited-edition cash game.
What is Swap Hold’em?
Swap Hold’em is a new cash game variant currently offered in limited markets and at PokerStars.net. The game is the same as standard NL Hold’em game, but with one difference. At any point during a hand, a player has the option to swap one or both of their hole cards before electing to check, raise, or fold.
Players have the option to swap cards once per hand and can do so anytime during the hand provided that action is to them. Furthermore, players will be able to tell which players have swapped cards and how many cards they have swapped.
PokerStars: Ξεκινάει το Swap Hold’em (vid) – https://t.co/VuofWaJqjUpic.twitter.com/67m2S80cC6
— Pokerland (@pokerland) March 17, 2020
Each player will have a swap icon next to their avatar. Pointing to this icon will tell you how many cards they have swapped. If you have swapped cards, you can highlight the swap icon to see which cards you held previously.
If this sounds familiar, then you probably played Power Up Poker at some point during its run at PokerStars. The game offered the option to swap out cards as one of its features. It was not available every hand but was a powerful tool when you had it available.
How Will Swap Hold’em Impact Poker Strategy?
The ability to swap cards during a hand will have a significant impact on overall Hold’em strategy. For starters, this should generate more action from players. Those picking up hands like A-4, K-6, or even Q-5 will probably speculate a little more often and swap out cards.
Next, you will also see a lot of swapping of cards pre-flop as players try and improve their hands. This will cause slight delays during each hand, meaning that each hand will take a bit longer to play. As such, you will have to work on your patience.
It's early days (minutes?) in Swap Hold'em GTO strat but I'm guessing this is horrible. @OfficialOPPokerpic.twitter.com/55hBcA8D53
— Nick Jones (@pokerprojones) March 17, 2020
Post-flop play will get a little more complicated as players that don’t swap pre-flop can now do so. The ability to put players on hands will become more important than ever. Hands such as top pair will become a bit weaker in this game as players will be able to swap out cards to improve their hands.
Also, expect to see more players drawing to straights and flushes due to the ability to swap out cards. A player that is looking at four to a flush at the turn or river may swap out their other card to try and fill their hand.
The good thing about this game is that you can swap out hands that become marginal after the flop. For example, if you have K-Q and the flop falls A-8-10, you can swap one or both cards to try and pick up an ace.
If you like draw poker games, then Swap Hold’em will be up your alley as you can draw up to two cards every hand.
Swap Hold’em Only Available in the UK – For Now
Presently, you can only play Swap Hold’em on the .UK site or at PokerStars.net. It is normal that PokerStars offers a new poker variant in limited markets or on their free play site. This is done for testing purposes and to gauge general interest.
If all goes well at the .UK site, then you can expect it to roll out to other markets and to the .com site in the near future. We applaud PokerStars for continuing to push the bar with new poker variants and wish them luck with this new endeavor.