Definitions for "Short-handed"
A hold'em game with fewer than seven players.
inadequate in number of workers or assistants etc.; "they're rather short-handed at the moment"; "overcrowded and understaffed hospitals"
A short-handed game refers to a table that has few opponents. A table of 2-6 players (as opposed to a full table of 10) would be considered a short-handed game.
Short of, or lacking the regular number of, servants or helpers.