Split Pot
A pot divided equally between two or more players with the same hand strength.
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What Is Split Pot?
Split pots occur when two or more hands are of exactly equal rank at showdown, or in hi-lo split games where the pot is divided between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand. When chips can't be divided evenly, the odd chip typically goes to the player closest to the left of the dealer button.
Examples
Two players both holding the same straight on the board splitting the pot.
In Omaha Hi-Lo, one player winning the high half of the pot and another winning the low half.
Strategy Tips
Always compare full five-card hands carefully, including kickers, before assuming a split -- a seemingly identical board hand can be beaten by a better kicker. In hi-lo games, understand qualifying requirements for the low hand, since not every pot will actually split if no low hand qualifies. Recognizing likely split-pot situations, such as four-card straights or flushes on the board, should influence your betting and calling decisions on the river. Playing hands that can scoop both the high and low in split games is generally far more profitable than playing for only half the pot.