Introduction
Most of the time, one player who holds 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 being played.
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.
When does a Split Pot occur?
There are only scenarios in Poker when the Split Pot occurs:
- When the players have the same poker hand rankings. For example, if two or more players have the same hand ranks of the same value, the pot gets split amongst them.
- Some of the players who are playing have to complete their hand using the community cards, which account for the best hand possible. For example, if the four players on the table have the following hole cards:
- Player A: K♠ J♠
- Player B: K♦ J♦
- Player C: 10♠ 9♠
- Player D: 5♣ 5♦
Preflop: All players receive their hole cards and place their bets.
Flop: The community cards are:
- 7♦
- 8♦
- 9♣
Turn:
The turn card is:
- 6♠
River:
The river card is:
- 10♦
Hand Analysis:
- Player A has K♠ J♠. With the community cards, he has a straight (6-7-8-9-10).
- Player B has K♦ J♦. He also has a straight (6-7-8-9-10).
- Player C has 10♠ 9♠. He has a straight too (6-7-8-9-10).
- Player D holds 5♣ 5♦, which gives him a pair of fives.
Showdown:
- Player A shows K♠ J♠ for a straight.
- Player B shows K♦ J♦ for a straight.
- Player C shows 10♠ 9♠ for a straight.
- Player D shows 5♣ 5♦ for a pair of fives.
Result:
Players A, B, and C all have the same straight (6-7-8-9-10). Since they are tied, they split the main pot equally among themselves. Player D, having the weakest hand, loses his bets.
Rules of Split Pot
As the name suggests, the total amount is split amongst all the winning players in a Split pot. If the pot value cannot be divided equally, the extra amount is given to the player sitting to the left of the button. These rules differ depending on the place you are playing at.
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 hand winners are 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 is 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.
What are kickers? - Scope of Kickers in a Split Pot Situation
Kickers are the cards that act as tie-breakers in a game of poker. The Kicker card resolves the pot split if two or more players have the same highest-ranking hand. For example, to complete a two-pair or a set, you need more cards from the community cards. So if two or more players have the same cards to complete a two-pair, the fifth card will be used to decide the winner. If the players have the same kicker card, then the pot is split amongst them.
What is the Split Bet Rule in Poker?
In some poker variants, a concept called bet split is used, which is different from pot split. In these variants, each player is dealt three hole cards. Players can fold their hands or continue playing the round by seeing these cards. If they decide to fold their hand, they must pay a split of the initial bet, usually one-third of the bet size, to move out of the game. Once the final community card is opened, the game's result is determined by comparing the player’s hands with the dealer’s.
Splitting Poker in Different Variations of Poker
Here is how the pot is typically split in Poker variations:
Texas Hold'em and Omaha
In these community card games, players form hands using hole cards and community cards. If two 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 card hands determine the winner. If multiple players have the same hand ranking at showdown, the pot is divided equally among them.
Five Card Draw
In Five Card Draw, players are dealt five cards and have the opportunity to 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 similar to those in Omaha Hi-Lo.
How Does Chopping Play a Role in Split Pot Poker?
Chopping in poker refers to the practice of splitting the pot among players when there is a tie or when the outcome leads to equal, strong hands. There are a few ways in which chopping is used in a poker game:
-
Chopping the blinds
It is a sort of informal practice in which the Small Blind and Big Blind return each other’s blinds when all the other players on the board have already folded. The intent is to keep the focus on the hand rather than losing without playing hands. The dealer gets the commission. This helps save some time, helps build trust among players, and saves some commission, known as rake. It is crucial to note that not all dealers or card rooms allow chopping, and it is also not allowed in tournaments.
-
Chopping the tournament - In for a chop
In tournaments, the term chop is used when the players propose a split. If all the remaining players decide to equally share the prize amount instead of playing it until the end, then the split pot comes into play. Not all organisations allow this type of pot splitting.
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 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 full 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, the player 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 are competing 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 their hand and another on the board. Split pairs can benefit if they form strong pairs or sets with the community cards.
What happens if there is a Split Pot and the chips can't be divided equally?
The extra chip is generally handed to the player sitting to the left of the dealer.
Can a Split Pot occur with different hand ranks?
No, a split-pot can only occur if the players have the same hand rankings.
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.
Small Blind in Poker
What is Straddle Poker
