What is a Split Pot in Poker - Everything You Need to Know

Introduction

Most of the time, one player with the strongest hand takes the pot in Poker.

But what happens when two players have identical cards, and there is a tie between them?

In this situation, the pot will be split.

This guide will provide details about everything you need to know about splitting pots in Poker.

What is a Split Pot?

As the name suggests, a ‘split pot’ occurs when two or more players show equally strong hands at the showdown. Instead of awarding the entire pot to one player, it is divided among the tied players according to the game's rules.

Objective

The objective of a split pot is to ensure fairness and equity among players when multiple players have equally strong hands at the showdown. Splitting the pot allows each player with a valid claim to a portion of the pot to receive their due winnings based on the strength of their hands.

How Pot Splitting Works

Hand Rankings

Poker hands are ranked from highest to lowest. If two or more players have equal hands, such as both have a flush, the tie is resolved according to the highest hand. If there is still a tie, the next highest card is compared, and so on, until the tie is broken.

Division of the Pot

Once the winners of the hand is determined, the pot is divided equally among them. For example, if two players have the same hand, each gets half of the pot. If three players have the same hand, each player receives one-third of the pot, and so on.

Remaining Chips

If the pot cannot be divided evenly (for example, if there are an odd number of chips), any extra chips typically remain in the pot and are awarded to the player closest to the left of the dealer button.

Example of Pot Splitting

Four players (A, B, C and D) are playing a hand of Texas Hold'em.

Preflop

A is the dealer, B is in the small blind, C is in the big blind, and D is under the gun. Everyone antes and receives their cards.

Flop

The flop comes down - 9♠️ 10♠️ J♠️. This gives A a straight flush draw, B a straight flush draw, C a flush draw, and D a pair of Jacks.

Action

B leads out with a bet, C calls, D raises, A calls, B calls, and C calls.

Turn

The turn card is the Q♠️. This gives A and B a straight flush, C a flush, and D still has his pair of Jacks.

Action

B checks, C bets, D calls, A raises, B calls, C calls, and D calls.

River

The river card is the 7♠️, completing the flush for C and giving A, B, and C a straight flush. D still has his pair of Jacks.

Final Action

B checks, C bets, D calls, A raises, B calls, C calls, and D calls.

Showdown

A reveals his hand: K♠️ A♠️ for a King-high straight flush.

Bob reveals his hand: 8♠️ 6♠️ for a 10-high straight flush.

C reveals his hand: 4♠️ 2♠️ for a 9-high flush.

D reveals his hand: J♥️ J♣️ for a pair of Jacks.

Since A and B both have straight flushes, they split the pot evenly. C's flush is not good enough to win against the straight flushes, but he still wins the side pot containing bets from C, D, and himself, as he has the best hand among them.

In the end, A and B each take half of the main pot, while C takes the entire side pot. D, having the weakest hand, loses his bets.

Splitting Poker in Different Variations of Poker

Here's how the pot is typically split in Poker variations.

Texas Hold'em and Omaha

Players form hands using hole cards and community cards in these community card games. If 2 or more players have hands of equal value at showdown, the pot is split equally among them.

Seven Card Stud

In Seven Card Stud, players receive seven cards, but only five determine the winner. The pot is divided equally if multiple players have the same hand ranking at showdown.

Five Card Draw

In Five Card Draw, players are dealt five cards and can draw new cards to improve their hands. The player who collects the best five cards at the showdown wins the entire pot. The pot will not be split unless players agree to different rules first.

Razz

Razz is a lowball variation of Seven Card Stud where the lowest hand wins. If multiple players have equally low hands, the pot is split equally among them.

Omaha Hi-Lo (Omaha Eight or Better)

In Omaha Hi-Lo, the pot is split between the player with the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand. To qualify for low cards, a player must have five unmatched cards, all of rank 8 or lower. If no player has a suitable low hand, the entire pot goes to the player with the best high hand.

Stud Hi-Lo

Similar to Omaha Hi-Lo, in Stud Hi-Lo, the pot is split between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand. The rules for qualifying low hands are identical to those for Omaha Hi-Lo.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you split the pot in full-house poker?

A full house comprises three cards of the same rank and two (non-consecutive) cards of another rank. If two or more players hold a full house at a showdown in Full House Poker, the pot is typically divided between these players. The showdown determines who gets the better half of the pot according to which full house has the higher rank. If two or more players hold houses of the same rank – like 9s full of Ks, or 3s full of 8s, etc – the pot is divided equally between the players.

How do you split an uneven pot in poker?

Chips are divided unevenly in a poker pot (for example - there are three players, but the pot doesn’t split evenly after 3-of-a-kind is dealt on the river). The player to the dealer’s left (so, immediately to the left of the ‘odd-chip’ winner technically), so as not to leave any ‘extra’ or ‘odd’ chips in the pot.

What does the pot mean in poker?

In poker, the pot is all the chips or money players compete for in a hand. Players contribute to the pot by placing bets, and the hand winner gets the entire pot. The size of the pot fluctuates throughout the hand as players place and raise bets.

What is a split pair in poker?

A split pair is a starting hand in which one of the hole cards has the same value as the community cards. For example, if a player is dealt A♠️ K♦️ and the flop comes A♣️ 8♠️ 3♦️, the player has a split pair with one Ace in his hand and another on the board. Split pairs can benefit if he forms strong pairs or sets with the community cards.

Conclusion

Split pots add thrill and excitement to the game, especially when multiple players are involved in a hand and have equally strong hands. They showcase the importance of understanding hand rankings and probabilities in poker, as players need to be aware of when they might be splitting a pot and make changes in their techniques and game plans accordingly.