Split Hold’em
Love Texas Hold’em? Split Hold’em adds a new twist to the classic poker game by dealing two separate community boards in the same hand. With more boards to play, there are more opportunities to make strong hands and compete for the pot.
If you already know how to play Texas Hold’em, you’ll find Split Hold’em easy to learn. The key difference is simple: instead of one set of community cards, there are two.
What Is Split Hold’em?
Split Hold’em follows the familiar rules of Texas Hold’em, but players compete across two boards dealt simultaneously.
Each player receives two private cards, known as hole cards. Five community cards are to form each board, and players use their hole cards alongside the community cards to make the best possible five-card poker hand on each board.
The pot is split equally between the winners of the two boards. This means you could win one half of the pot, win both halves by having the best hand on each board, or take the entire pot if all your opponents fold before showdown.
How to Play Split Hold’em
1. The Deal and Pre-Flop Betting
Split Hold’em begins like traditional Texas Hold’em. Each player receives two hole cards, followed by a round of betting.
2. Two Flops
Instead of dealing one flop, the dealer three community cards face-up to form one board, and another three community cards to form the other. Players then have a chance to assess both boards and consider how their hole cards work with each one before the next betting round.
3. Two Turns
A fourth community card is dealt to each board. Another betting round follows, giving players more information to evaluate their hands and potential winning combinations.
4. Two Rivers
A fifth and final community card is dealt to each board, followed by the last betting round.
5. The Showdown
If more than one player remains after the final betting round, the hands are evaluated separately on each board. The player with the best hand on the first board wins half the pot, while the best hand on the second board wins the other half.
If one player has the strongest hand on both boards, they can win the entire pot. As in traditional Hold’em, all opponents folding before showdown also allows the last remaining player to take the pot.
What Makes Split Hold’em Different?
The biggest difference is the extra board. You’ll need to evaluate two sets of community cards, look for opportunities on both and consider how your opponents might connect with each board.
Split Hold’em is played as a No-Limit game, so players can bet any amount up to their remaining chips, subject to the rules of the game.
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