Poker glossary

Chop

A chop is a pot divided equally between players with equal hands, or a tournament deal to split the prize money.

The simple explanation

A chop happens at showdown when two or more players have hands of the same value, so the pot is split. In a tournament, players may also chop by agreeing to share the remaining prize money instead of playing to the end. If you are not sure whether a pot is split, wait for the dealer to compare the hands and announce the result.

A closer look

Chops at showdown happen when the board makes the best possible hand and several players use it, or when two players have the same straight. Suits do not break ties. In tournaments, a chop is a deal, and the split may follow chip counts or an algorithm such as ICM. In hi-lo games the pot is also divided between the best high and best low hands. The word has a few other uses, so the context decides the meaning.

A practical example

The board shows 10♠ J♥ Q♦ K♣ 2♠ and two players both hold an ace. Each has the same Broadway straight, so they chop the pot.

Full explanation

A chop is a pot divided equally between players with equal hands, or a tournament deal to split the prize money.

A chop means sharing a pot or prize money equally or by agreement. It is the result of equal hands at showdown or a negotiated tournament deal.

At showdown, a chop occurs when two or more players have equal hands. Suits do not rank in standard poker, so hands with the same ranks split the pot. If the pot does not divide evenly, the odd chip goes by the room’s rule.

In a tournament, a chop is a deal in which the remaining players divide the prize money instead of playing on. The split can be even, based on chip counts or calculated with ICM. Deals are agreed by all remaining players.

In a hi-lo game, the pot is also divided between the best high and low hands, which players sometimes call chopping the pot.

Before agreeing to a tournament chop, make sure everyone understands the formula and the amounts, because deals are binding once agreed.

Equal best-five hands split the pot

No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake

Read the example transcript

Player A has the button (BTN) and posts the 1-chip small blind (SB). Player B posts the 2-chip big blind (BB).

Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
- Player A BTN / SB 2 of clubs (2c)3 of diamonds (3d) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB 4 of clubs (4c)5 of diamonds (5d) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
Preflop · Pot: 8 chips
Player A raises to 6 before the flop.
- Player A BTN / SB 2 of clubs (2c)3 of diamonds (3d) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 4 of clubs (4c)5 of diamonds (5d) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
Preflop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B calls 4 more. Each player has contributed 6; the pot is 12.
- Player A BTN / SB 2 of clubs (2c)3 of diamonds (3d) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 4 of clubs (4c)5 of diamonds (5d) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
Flop · Pot: 12 chips
The flop is dealt.
Board: Ace of hearts (Ah)King of diamonds (Kd)Queen of clubs (Qc)
- Player A BTN / SB 2 of clubs (2c)3 of diamonds (3d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 4 of clubs (4c)5 of diamonds (5d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Flop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B checks.
Board: Ace of hearts (Ah)King of diamonds (Kd)Queen of clubs (Qc)
- Player A BTN / SB 2 of clubs (2c)3 of diamonds (3d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 4 of clubs (4c)5 of diamonds (5d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Flop · Pot: 12 chips
Player A checks behind.
Board: Ace of hearts (Ah)King of diamonds (Kd)Queen of clubs (Qc)
- Player A BTN / SB 2 of clubs (2c)3 of diamonds (3d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 4 of clubs (4c)5 of diamonds (5d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Turn · Pot: 12 chips
The turn is dealt.
Board: Ace of hearts (Ah)King of diamonds (Kd)Queen of clubs (Qc)Jack of spades (Js)
- Player A BTN / SB 2 of clubs (2c)3 of diamonds (3d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 4 of clubs (4c)5 of diamonds (5d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Turn · Pot: 12 chips
Player B checks.
Board: Ace of hearts (Ah)King of diamonds (Kd)Queen of clubs (Qc)Jack of spades (Js)
- Player A BTN / SB 2 of clubs (2c)3 of diamonds (3d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 4 of clubs (4c)5 of diamonds (5d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Turn · Pot: 12 chips
Player A checks behind.
Board: Ace of hearts (Ah)King of diamonds (Kd)Queen of clubs (Qc)Jack of spades (Js)
- Player A BTN / SB 2 of clubs (2c)3 of diamonds (3d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 4 of clubs (4c)5 of diamonds (5d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
River · Pot: 12 chips
Both players use A-K-Q-J-T from the board. Neither private hand improves it, so they split the pot equally. The 12-chip pot gives 6 to each; suits do not break the tie. The viewer shows the pot before its award.
Board: Ace of hearts (Ah)King of diamonds (Kd)Queen of clubs (Qc)Jack of spades (Js)10 of hearts (Th)
- Player A BTN / SB 2 of clubs (2c)3 of diamonds (3d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 4 of clubs (4c)5 of diamonds (5d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0

Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.

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