Poker games are zero sum games, where for every winner, there will be a loser. Splitting pots is also quite common. We will explain what the split is, how it works, and when you should and shouldn’t split the pot.
What is splitting in poker?
Any given poker game will contain winners and losers. But split pots are usually associated with home games.
By splitting, you can split evenly or half the pot, so that the winnings can be shared out between two or more players.
Split pots are also necessary when several players have the same winning hand, and to split evenly, the player wins if they have five community cards that are identical in terms of rank.
How does split pot work in poker?
This is usually available in high low games. When we think of high low games, Omaha immediately springs to mind as the players with the best high hand and the best low hand will walk away from the board with half of the pot.
In high low games, it is not unheard of for players to boast the same winning hand, and here, the main pot is drawn up in a more complicated way, such as one high pot and one low pot.
Do note that in Texas Hold’Em games, pot splitting is not available, as all the chips will go to the player that has the best hand.
When does the pot split in poker
There may be multiple occasions where two or more players have the same hand. If we are to use a Texas Hold’Em game as the prime example, then on a board, some players might be holding three queens as well as more than one king. The pot as such will be split regardless of what their other hand is, unless it is a king.
How to split pot in poker?
You can divide the pot in many ways, and we have run through the rules of how this works:
Split the pot into quarters
More notorious or widely used in Omaha games, it is possible for one player to take half of the main pot for boasting the best highest hand, such as a full house, and for two players to tie with a solid low hand.
In this example, the first player would get their hands on 50% of the pot, while two players with the best low hands would grab 25% of the pot. It means that if you win, you can stand to make the most from bets, as opposed to if there are three or more players who tie with the same hand, and so they would secure one-sixth, one-eighth, or an even smaller amount of the pot, which could well be an odd number.
Split the pot into two
As mentioned before, a good way of dividing the pot in high and low games, is to have one high pot and one low pot. Players will be able to share the same high hand and several players will also be able to split for the same winning low hands.
When to split pot in poker
To split pots can be advantageous in a game where multiple players are competing, so let’s see when this is the case:
High low games
Some players with the highest five cards or the best hand of a low variety will be able to tap into the pot when betting. It can also happen in a game like Chicago, where those players who have spades or the highest spade in the event of a tie will land the pot.
Same five cards
Those players who have the same five cards will be entitled to split what is in the pot. The five community cards will therefore help two or more players grab an equal share of the pot in a game.
When not to split pot in poker
Bear in mind that there may be times when those playing should keep in mind when it comes to splitting pots.
At the tilt
You should avoid the split when it comes to the tilt. There may be those playing, for example, who are emotionally charged, and they may well make rash decisions with their bets. This can occur after a bad run of results, for example, and it will also stem from an insatiable appetite to win at any cost. The blow for those players that bet at the tilt could be severe.
If you can’t adjust properly
Every game will have its own set of rules which you should make note of. Those players that struggle to adjust to the rules, won’t be best placed to split the pot with their bets, as opposed to those who can recalibrate at the beginning and produce a strong five card hand.
Split Poker Variants
There is a wide range of variants that have split pots, and aside from Omaha Hi-Lo Eight or Better, and here are a few more to take note of:
- Crazy Pineapple Hi-Lo
- Low Chicago
- Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Eight or Better
- 5-Card Draw Hi-Lo
These poker variants will have their own betting rules, and you should take into account how the pots work, so that you can win and take more chips from the board.
How to calculate pot odds in split pot games
If as a player, you are only hoping to win 50% of the pot, then the calculation or formula is quite simple for working out pot odds, as you just have to half the pot size. The calculation for it looks like this if one player makes a $5 bet into a $10 pot:
- Calling to split the pot = $7.5 to $5 = 1.5 to 1 = 40%.
That means that players will need to have the best hand 40% of the time when they play to ensure they break even.
The role of the kicker in split pot situations
The kickers can have a huge role when they play in split pot situations. These cards will decide the winner if two players have the same five card hand, thus ensuring a tie. For example, a player with an ace and king will outkick an opponent’s AQ on an AJ932 board. Both players will have a pair but the ace king is a better hand than the hand of a player who has two aces (AAKJ9) vs two aces with a Queen, Jack, and 9, where the King, Queen, Jack, and 9 counts as kickers. As always, winners are determined from the best hand or same five card hand on the board. So, for example, a full house or a flush will invariably provide more winning hands for a player.
Difference between a split pot and a side pot
A split pot is necessary when two or more players have an identical hand, thus forcing a tie. Side pots, on the other hand, are formed when several players that have an unequal amount of chips stack will call when all in. A single player will have to match the smallest bet contributed. When you play in a split pot, the dealers will take into account all hands such as the flush from the flop to the river, but it is a good idea to be aware of the maths, so you know what winnings you are likely to take home with you.
Side pots, however, can be effective, and they can end up being larger than the main pot, so any winning bet can pay dividends for say three players especially come the river. Also, it gives a player a second chance to redeem themselves if they come up short in the main pot. Although side pots come in all shapes and sizes, if you can get to grips with the basics, you’ll be able to resolve any disputes at the table should they arise.
Summary
As we have seen, poker is a zero-sum game, and there will always be winners and losers. Split pots provide a fascinating dimension, and when understood properly, they can make your time more profitable if you play your cards right. Although we only touched on side pots briefly in this guide, they are also worth taking into account as they can make things more exciting and spice up your wagers. If you are lucky, you could even make as much from a side pot as you might do from the main pot.