Chopping between the BB and Small Blind (?)

[Nagoo81]

I am a relative newbie to B&M cardrooms, and while at the Taj, I noticed a practice that sometimes occurred between the SB and the BB to which they called "chopping." I had heard of the term when it was used to describe the action that the last 2 players in a tourney do when they want to split up the prize money.

However, I noticed that some players (mainly Low-limit, but could be done at the higher limits) were 'chopping' the pots, meaning that they would just take back their blinds and end the hand. I also overheard that either you always chop or never chop at all.

I would like to know more about this practice, and if I'm describing it properly. Thanks.

[BigBaitsim (milo)]

You have the concept essentially correct. Rather than fight it out over the blinds (and pay rake) the blinds will often "chop" and take back their money. The button moves and the next players post. I played 3/6 and 6/12 at Mirage, 1-3 and 4/8 at Excalibur. Pretty much everyone chopped at Mirage. Nobody ever chopped at Excalibur, but that was because there were always lots 'o players in the pot, so there was never a chance [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]. If the small stakes game your playing in has lots of opportunities to chop, the game is too tight and you should move.

[highlife]

yep thats pretty much it. players do this out of courtesy often times, but also because its tough to beat the rake head to head when neither of the blinds are likely to have a good hand.

players like to ask other players to their immediate left and right if they "chop" so that if the situation comes up its automatic. that way they dont get chops on trash hand but when one suddenly has AA they decide not to chop. so make up your mind before you sit down if you want to chop, and stick to that the whole session.

[kaf22]

Nagoo,

That's right, if both the SB & BB agree, they can take back their blinds. It's used to avoid the rake, as most rooms have a "No flop, No drop" policy.

The part about always doing it or not doing it is a tradition, not an actual rule.

[The Armchair]

One thing to add: It's best if you agree with your neighbor opponents to do this when you sit down, and also, it's best to not look at your hand when you're the SB until chopping is no longer an option. You don't want to offer to chop and then look down and see 27o when they decline, as they'll never accept again.

[burningyen]

FWIW, Mandalay Bay doesn't allow chopping.

[MrDannimal]

In the one hand I saw where this happened (the only hand in 7 hours where it could have happened), the BB gave $1 to the SB (the blinds were $1 and $3 for the 3/6 game) to literally chop the pot instead of just taking blinds back.

I thought that was odd, but hey.

[jasonHoldEm]

Should You Chop? an article by Barry Tanenbaum

J

[daryn]

in conclusion: chop.



or don't.

[justmuckit]

Hey Nagoo:

You're right on the money. I'm a dealer at a casino in Missouri and this happens frequenly, even up to the 20-40 game. I see players "chop" with AA. I mean, at that point, it's unlikely that you'd get any action regardless of what you're holding, since everyone in front of you folded. It's more a courtesy than anything else. And yes, there are players who refuse to "chop". But they are consistent, one way or the other.

Hope this helped.

Good luck.