If you're new to poker, you might have heard the term "Run It Twice" and wondered what it means. Don't worry; it's simpler than it sounds.
In poker, "Run It Twice" is an option used in certain cash games. When players that have gone all in agree to "Run It Twice", two lots of community cards are dealt, offering two chances for players to win.
This approach is only available if the players are all-in (i.e. betting all their chips) and want to reduce the risk of losing everything in a single deal. By splitting the cards into two runs, each player gets an additional chance to win half of the pot.
It can be a way to make big-stakes poker a bit less nerve-wracking and a little fairer for everyone involved.
So, now that you've got a basic idea, let's dive deeper into how "Run It Twice" works, why players choose it, and the odds involved.
What Does Running It Twice Mean In Poker?
If players in a poker game decide to "Run It Twice", they're agreeing to deal two separate rounds of community cards instead of just one.
Let's break it down:
Imagine you and another player are all in, and there's more action to come on the board (the community cards dealt in the centre). Instead of finishing the hand with just this one set of community cards, you agree to play two entirely different sets of cards.
Each set has its showdown, creating two possible outcomes. This means the pot (the total chips bet) is also split into two separate halves, with one half going to the winner of the first set and the other going to the winner of the second set.
By doing this, the players reduce the impact of chance on having a single good or bad round. It provides another opportunity to potentially create a strong hand, reducing the variance in the game in the long run compared to playing just one run of community cards.
In summary, "Running It Twice" is a way for poker players who have gone all in to have another opportunity to win half the pot, which can reduce the effects of chance resulting in you being dealt a bad hand. It's not as complex as it first seems, is it?
When Should You Run It Twice In Poker?
Deciding when to "Run It Twice" in poker depends on a few factors. Here are some common situations where players might choose this option:
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High Stakes: If a lot of money is on the line, players might want to reduce the risk of losing everything in one go. Running it twice splits the risk, providing two chances to win half of the pot.
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Even Chances: Both players might agree to "Run It Twice" to reduce the variance over two runs of community cards rather than the slightly more chance-based outcome in a single deal. Variance refers to the ups and downs in poker results. By running it twice, players can smooth out the vagaries of chance, making the game a bit less swingy and more predictable over time.
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Friendly Agreement: In casual or friendly games, players might agree to run it twice to keep the game enjoyable and minimise hurt feelings over big losses.
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Another Chance: If you're all in but not as confident in your hand with the community cards as they are, agreeing to run it twice might help by giving you another shot with another run of community cards.
Remember, both players need to agree to run it twice for it to happen, so always communicate clearly before the cards are dealt.
What Are The Odds Of Running It Twice In Poker?
If you "Run It Twice" in poker, each run is an independent event. This means the odds of winning each run are the same as if the hand were played once, but you get two separate outcomes.
Basic Maths
Let's say you have a 60% chance of winning the pot in a single run (just an example value, not necessarily reflective of the true odds). When running it twice, you would still have a 60% chance of winning each run individually.
Possible Outcomes
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Win Both Runs: There's a chance you could win both runs. In our example, that's 60% for the first run and 60% for the second run. So, 0.6 x 0.6 = 36%.
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Lose Both Runs: There's also a chance you could lose both runs. If you have a 40% chance of losing each run, then 0.4 x 0.4 = 16%.
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Win One, Lose One: The remaining ways are win one, lose one. That's (60% 40%) + (40% 60%) = 48%.
Why It Matters
Running it twice doesn't change your overall winning odds but reduces the variance. Instead of winning or losing the entire pot in one go, you have a better chance of winning one of the two runs and splitting it, making the potential loss less dramatic.
However, the true odds of winning depend on a number of factors, such as the number of players, the skill and experience levels of those playing, the number of decks used, and more. The above values were just examples to illustrate the point.
Remember that all players who have gone all in must agree to run it twice for it to happen; it cannot be demanded by a single player. Remember to always gamble responsibly and never bet money you cannot afford to lose.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.