total number of texas holdem starting hands

Maybe slightly wider with 6 than 9, but virtually identical. In fact, I'd play almost identical ranges to a game with 9 players. I never heard about kickers not as important in 6-max (I think they are just as important). I perform similarly in both (prefer 9-handed slightly, but this is just personal preference). I've tried both 9-handed and 6-max a bit. Its definitely a good practice for MTTs as well, since a lot of money is lost or won in the battle between the final 5-6 players So my advice is to continue to add more 6-max games to your mix, if you feel for it.

You probably need a really big sample like 500 of each kind of SnG, before the true results become clear. With all this being said remember that variance is always a factor. Even if they are recreational players, maybe they understand the dynamics better, because they have played more, and they are more minded for getting in there and battle with you. People playing 6-max might be a little loser and more aggressive in general. There might also be some differences in player pool tendencies, which dont suit you so well. So if you are not really comfortable postflop with marginal holdings, that will get punished more at 6-max. Also the less players on the table, the wider range of hands you will have to play on average. But if you are a little to tight in general, that will definitely get punished more, since the blinds come around faster. I dont think, 6-max require a totally different strategy.

Total number of texas holdem starting hands