[OnTheButton]

I wrote a post around here how I chopped the pot in Vegas when it was down to heads up, I've seen that before, thus the reason I did it.

However last night we had a tournament, 10 players, $20buy/$10re/$10add

Total prize pool was $250 in the end.

Paid was:

1st: $150 (60%)
2nd: $75 (30%)
3rd: $25 (10%)

Only the three "bubble" players are still in the game.

I was leading, probably about 8x the chip lead of the two remaining players, and it was pretty much a battle for 2nd place, unless I did something really stupid 3 or 4 times in a row.

About 4 hands into the now 3 way action, the two other players look down at their chips mutter something to each other, and say to me, "You win, we want to chop 2nd and 3rd and take $50 each."

Of course I agreed, since they were handing me the 1st place prize uncontested, but it still felt wierd not to "win" after almost 4 hours of tournament play.

I'm not sure what the official stance is on pot chopping, but as much as I liked taking the money, it somehow didn't feel complete to end this way. Is that my ego talking wanting to "take them down" and feel the win rush?

What are your opinions or experiences on this type of chopping?

[ahopen78]

1. deal making is fine if 100% all agree.
2. you must still determine positions for rankings so you can either play it out for position or do it by chip count.

Originally Posted by OnTheButton

I wrote a post around here how I chopped the pot in Vegas when it was down to heads up, I've seen that before, thus the reason I did it.

However last night we had a tournament, 10 players, $20buy/$10re/$10add

Total prize pool was $250 in the end.

Paid was:

1st: $150 (60%)
2nd: $75 (30%)
3rd: $25 (10%)

Only the three "bubble" players are still in the game.

I was leading, probably about 8x the chip lead of the two remaining players, and it was pretty much a battle for 2nd place, unless I did something really stupid 3 or 4 times in a row.

About 4 hands into the now 3 way action, the two other players look down at their chips mutter something to each other, and say to me, "You win, we want to chop 2nd and 3rd and take $50 each."

Of course I agreed, since they were handing me the 1st place prize uncontested, but it still felt wierd not to "win" after almost 4 hours of tournament play.

I'm not sure what the official stance is on pot chopping, but as much as I liked taking the money, it somehow didn't feel complete to end this way. Is that my ego talking wanting to "take them down" and feel the win rush?

What are your opinions or experiences on this type of chopping?

[OnTheButton]

Originally Posted by ahopen78

1. deal making is fine if 100% all agree.
2. you must still determine positions for rankings so you can either play it out for position or do it by chip count.

1. How could I complain? I mean you play poker to MAKE MONEY, and I did.

2. We don't rank and they chopped the 2nd/3rd money between them so chip count was irrelevant.

Still it was odd to win, have everyone congratulate me, and still not feel like the game was over as we were putting away the cards and chips...

[MacGrad]

Originally Posted by OnTheButton

1. How could I complain? I mean you play poker to MAKE MONEY, and I did.

2. We don't rank and they chopped the 2nd/3rd money between them so chip count was irrelevant.

Still it was odd to win, have everyone congratulate me, and still not feel like the game was over as we were putting away the cards and chips...

Well, you could think about it this way: according to your OP, the game was over as far as your opponents were concerned - in their eyes, you had an insurmountable chip lead, so they felt they had no way of winning.

If you deny the chop, it looks bad on you: if you win, the other players will dislike you for delaying the inevitable. If you lose, they'll all say you deserved it for not taking the chop when offered.

To make yourself feel better, just remember that you were such a great player that two people felt like they couldn't beat you - a rarity in most home tournaments.

[jamby]

As long as everybody involved agrees, there's nothing at all 'wrong' with pot chopping. I do agree though, that it leaves a really weird taste in one's mouth.

[daveyboy]

One option would have been to agree to the chop but play out the rest of the hands for fun. That way, you can make them feel even more bad if they actually beat you in the end.The only problem is that we tend to play much differently when we are playing for fun.

In any case, a win is a win. You thoroughly beat them the whole game and should be proud that your friends actually think you are just too good to be beaten.

On a side note, I came back from a more than 10 to 1 chip difference to win a home tournament, so it can happen.

[Fins]

You didn't say what the blinds were relative to their chipstacks... if it was a total crapshoot... where's the fun in that Don't get me wrong I love playing craps but after 4 hours for it to be a coin flip for money I don't mind a chop. Took one Sat. night...

- started with 9 + 2 rebuys... 11k in play.
- 3 players ( two at ~2750 & me w/ ~5500)
- Top 2 spots pay 70/30
- Blinds were 500/1000!

I offered 50-25-25 and after a little discussion it was accepted... plus it meant we could get a cash game going.

Definitely see your point but if the situation is right it can be a good idea.

[OnTheButton]

Originally Posted by Fins

You didn't say what the blinds were relative to their chipstacks... if it was a total crapshoot... where's the fun in that Don't get me wrong I love playing craps but after 4 hours for it to be a coin flip for money I don't mind a chop. Took one Sat. night...

- started with 9 + 2 rebuys... 11k in play.
- 3 players ( two at ~2750 & me w/ ~5500)
- Top 2 spots pay 70/30
- Blinds were 500/1000!

I offered 50-25-25 and after a little discussion it was accepted... plus it meant we could get a cash game going.

Definitely see your point but if the situation is right it can be a good idea.

The blinds were at 1000/2000 and they each had about 6K and I had about 40K.

Personally I would have played it out if I were in their position... But I guess good money is good money.

The only other time I've been a part of a pot chop was at the Nugget in Vegas at almost 5am (1am tourney start) and it was heads up. Blinds were 2000/4000 and we each had about 40K in chips and both getting weary. Actually when we chopped we both had EXACTLY the same amount of chips. 1st and 2nd were about $200 apart (around $450 and $650) so we split the difference and went our own ways.

[2_hotty]

I 3-way chopped my last tourney in Vegas. Second place was $430, and a 3 way chop was $460 each, so it made sense. (3rd place would have been $260)

I play for money. I'll take a 10th place finish and more money, over a first place finish with less money and a trophy. (as long as it's a considerable amount)

[Brewster]

I've been in on a few chopped pots and don't mind it as long as everyone agrees. The most memorable was a two hour heads up battle with a good buddy of mine. We both survived multiple all ins and were dead even in chips when we made the decision (it was also 3am and he had to work the next day). It was an epic battle.