How a chop generally works in the game of poker

[ProGambler]

Here's how a chop generally works:

Agreement: The players involved in the hand discuss and agree to chop the pot. This can be initiated by any player at any point during the hand, but all remaining players must consent.

 Distribution: Once the chop is agreed upon, the pot is divided equally among the players who participated in the chop. Each player receives an equal share of the pot, regardless of the strength of their individual hands at that moment.

 Side Pot Considerations: If there were any side pots created due to previous betting rounds involving other players who folded earlier in the hand, those side pots are typically not affected by the chop agreement. The players involved in the chop divide the main pot among themselves, while any remaining side pots are awarded to the respective winners.

 

[CR7]

That's a pretty accurate explanation! To add a little more detail:

Decision to Chop: Players may choose to chop the pot for various reasons. It could be because they want to avoid the uncertainty of continuing to play the hand or to secure a guaranteed income rather than risking losing the entire pot. Sometimes players may agree to chop if they are all facing a particular opponent with a huge chip stack, making it more advantageous to take a smaller, guaranteed share of the pot.

Consent: As you mentioned, all remaining players in the hand must consent to the chop. If even one player does not agree, then the hand continues as usual, and the chop is off. It's important to note that the dealer has no say in whether a chop is agreed upon or not; it's entirely up to the players involved.

Amount of Each Player's Share: Once the chop is agreed upon, the pot is divided equally among the players who participated in the chop. This means that each player receives the same amount regardless of the strength of their hands. For example, if there are four players and the pot is $400, each player would receive $100.

Side Pots: Side pots are not typically affected by a chop. If there were any side pots created due to previous betting rounds involving other players who folded, those side pots are awarded separately. Only the main pot is divided among the players who agreed to the chop.

Chopping Ties: In some cases, players may agree to a chop, but there are ties for certain places. In these situations, players can further negotiate to divide the remaining prize money among the tied players.

Chopping Tournaments: Chopping also occurs in tournament settings, but the distribution is a bit different. In tournaments, players usually negotiate a deal based on their chip stacks, with larger chip stacks receiving more money. It's important to mention that some tournaments may not allow deals or require the final table to reach an agreement collectively.

Overall, chopping can be a strategic move to secure a guaranteed payout or to reduce variance in certain situations. It's important for all players to be on the same page and fully understand the terms of the agreement before proceeding with a chop.

 

[swift]

I believe Players will usually need to agree upon chopping the pot before doing so. Typically, each player who wants to chop the pot will put an equal amount of money into a separate pot, known as a "side pot." The main pot will go to the best hand, while the side pot will be divided equally among the players who have tied.