Chopping Blinds in poker refers to a situation in flop games where all players fold to the small blind and both the small blind and big blind decide to take back their bets and move on to the next hand.

What is Chopping Blinds?

In poker, Chopping Blinds occurs when all players fold to the small blind in a hand and the small blind and big blind mutually decide to take back their blinds rather than play the hand. This ends the hand and a new one begins. It is a common practice in cash games to speed up play and avoid paying rake on blind v. blind battles.

When to Chop Blinds

Deciding whether to chopping is profitable can depend on several factors, including the relative hand strengths of the small blind and big blind, the tendencies of the players, and other table dynamics. However, whether to chop the blinds is typically decided in advance by the table as a whole.

Some players prefer to always chop blinds when given the opportunity, while others opt to never chop. It is usually considered poor etiquette to pick and choose when to chop on a hand-by-hand basis i.e. playing your hand when you have a good hand and otherwise chopping.

Considerations When Chopping Blinds

When you have the option to chop blinds, it's important to consider the potential benefits and drawbacks. Chopping blinds can speed up the game, reduces the variance associated with playing out a large number of hands heads-up, and in some rake formats can make a big difference to the hourly rake of a game. However, if you have a strong hand it might be more profitable to play the hand.

That said, most players frown upon upon choosing whether to chop on a hand-by-hand basis. So it is often best to always chop or never chop during a game. In this situation, the main factor is how strong the player to your immediate left is. You want to play more hands against weak players and chop more against strong players.

Chopping Blinds FAQ

Is chopping blinds allowed in all poker games?

Chopping blinds is generally allowed in cash games, but depends on house rules. It is not allowed in tournament play.

Should I always agree to chop blinds?

Whether to agree to chop blinds can depend on factors like your hand strength, the game situation, and your overall strategy. If you have a weak loose player to your left, chopping blinds can leave money on the table.

Does chopping blinds affect the game speed?

Yes, chopping blinds can speed up the game a lot as it allows players to quickly move on to the next hand rather than playing out a hand heads-up.

Can I refuse to chop blinds?

Yes, you can refuse to chop blinds if you prefer to play the hand. The decision to chop blinds must be mutual between the small blind and big blind.

How can I decide whether to chop blinds?

Deciding whether to chop blinds often involves considering your hand strength, the tendencies of the other players, and your overall game strategy. It can also depend on whether you prefer to play a faster game with less variance or a slower game with potentially higher profits.