Poker glossary

Split

A split is a tie in which the pot is divided between players with equal hands. It also describes a pot divided between the high and low hands.

The simple explanation

If two players have the same hand at showdown, they split the pot. In hi-lo games, a split is also the normal result: half to the high and half to the low.

A closer look

Splits are common when the board plays or when both players have the same ranks. Suits never break ties. In tournaments, a split pot can have effect on ICM. A deal at the end of a tournament is also called a split.

A practical example

The board is 10♠ 9♥ 8♦ 7♣ 6♠. Both players have a straight on the board and split the pot.

Full explanation

A split is a tie in which the pot is divided between players with equal hands. It also describes a pot divided between the high and low hands.

A split is a tie in which the pot is divided.

It happens with equal hands.

In hi-lo games, the pot is split between high and low.

Suits never break ties.

Playing the board

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 hearts (4h)4 of diamonds (4d) · 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 hearts (4h)4 of diamonds (4d) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
Preflop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.
- Player A BTN / SB 2 of clubs (2c)3 of diamonds (3d) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 4 of hearts (4h)4 of diamonds (4d) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
Flop · Pot: 12 chips
The flop is ten, nine, eight.
Board: 10 of spades (Ts)9 of hearts (9h)8 of diamonds (8d)
- Player A BTN / SB 2 of clubs (2c)3 of diamonds (3d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 4 of hearts (4h)4 of diamonds (4d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Flop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B checks.
Board: 10 of spades (Ts)9 of hearts (9h)8 of diamonds (8d)
- Player A BTN / SB 2 of clubs (2c)3 of diamonds (3d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 4 of hearts (4h)4 of diamonds (4d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Flop · Pot: 12 chips
Player A checks.
Board: 10 of spades (Ts)9 of hearts (9h)8 of diamonds (8d)
- Player A BTN / SB 2 of clubs (2c)3 of diamonds (3d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 4 of hearts (4h)4 of diamonds (4d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Turn · Pot: 12 chips
The turn is a seven.
Board: 10 of spades (Ts)9 of hearts (9h)8 of diamonds (8d)7 of clubs (7c)
- Player A BTN / SB 2 of clubs (2c)3 of diamonds (3d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 4 of hearts (4h)4 of diamonds (4d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Turn · Pot: 12 chips
Player B checks.
Board: 10 of spades (Ts)9 of hearts (9h)8 of diamonds (8d)7 of clubs (7c)
- Player A BTN / SB 2 of clubs (2c)3 of diamonds (3d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 4 of hearts (4h)4 of diamonds (4d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Turn · Pot: 12 chips
Player A checks.
Board: 10 of spades (Ts)9 of hearts (9h)8 of diamonds (8d)7 of clubs (7c)
- Player A BTN / SB 2 of clubs (2c)3 of diamonds (3d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 4 of hearts (4h)4 of diamonds (4d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
River · Pot: 12 chips
The river completes a straight on the board, from six to ten. The best five cards for both players are the community cards, so both play the board and will split the pot.
Board: 10 of spades (Ts)9 of hearts (9h)8 of diamonds (8d)7 of clubs (7c)6 of spades (6s)
- Player A BTN / SB 2 of clubs (2c)3 of diamonds (3d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 4 of hearts (4h)4 of diamonds (4d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0

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

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