What Does Run It Twice Mean In Poker?
If you’ve ever sat down at a poker table—maybe it was a tense cash game at your local card room, or a friendly home game with a few adventurous friends—you’ve probably heard someone casually say, “Wanna run it twice?” Maybe you nodded along, or maybe you paused, wondering what exactly they meant. If you’ve been curious, you’re not alone.
So, What Exactly Is “Running It Twice”?
Picture this scenario: The hand is nearing its climax. Two players have gone all-in on the turn. The pot is huge, and both sets of hole cards are on their backs for everyone to see. Usually, you’d just deal the river card and see who wins. But if both players agree, you can “run it twice.” In other words, instead of dealing just one river card, you deal two different river cards (or sometimes entire sets of remaining community cards twice). This splits the final pot into two halves, each decided by one of these “runs.” It’s like giving fate a second chance—sometimes it reduces variance, sometimes it eases the sting of a bad beat.
Why Do Players Do This?
Think about how it feels to be ahead in a big pot but still vulnerable to that one-card miracle your opponent needs. Running it twice can soften the emotional rollercoaster. If you’re heavily favored to win, running it twice might help ensure you don’t lose everything on a single unlucky river card. If you’re the underdog, it might give you two shots at catching your miracle card. It won’t always save you, but psychologically, it can feel like a safer bet.
A Small Detour: How It Actually Works
Let’s clarify with an example. Imagine we’ve just reached a point in the hand where all the betting is done on the turn. We flip our cards face up. Maybe I’ve got a set, and you’ve got a big combo draw. If we agree to run it twice, the dealer will deal the remaining community cards (in this case, just the river card) two times from what’s left in the deck. The first river card decides who wins the first half of the pot; the second river card decides who wins the second half. If I win both runs, I take the entire pot. If we split—each of us winning once—then we each get half. It’s basically a way to reduce the impact of that final card being a make-or-break moment.
Does Running It Twice Affect Strategy?
Absolutely. Some claim that running it twice takes a bit of the edge out of going all-in. It can feel safer, which might encourage players to push their hands more boldly. On the other hand, if you’re someone who thrives on risk—loving the adrenaline of that one river card—you might not want to run it twice. There’s also a psychological element: agreeing to run it twice can signal confidence—or fear. It depends on the context and personalities at the table.
When Might You Do It?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. You might consider running it twice if:
- It’s a Big Pot: Reducing variance can be a smart choice when a lot of money is at stake.
- You’re Facing a Friend: To avoid tense or awkward moments in a casual game.
- You’re in a High-Stakes Game: Where players often run it twice to manage swings and protect their bankrolls.
Is It Common?
In many high-stakes cash games, running it twice (or even three times) is relatively common. In casual home games, it might not come up as often, but that doesn’t mean it can’t. Some players never do it, others do it every chance they get. It’s a matter of preference and agreement between the players involved.
In the End, It’s About Managing Variance and Feelings
At its heart, “running it twice” is just another tool in poker’s toolbox. It doesn’t guarantee anything—if you’re an underdog, you’re still behind overall, and if you’re ahead, you’re still risking a piece of your stack. But it can smooth out the wild ups and downs that make poker both thrilling and terrifying. It’s a way of saying: “Let’s spread out the luck a bit.”
Next time someone asks, “Wanna run it twice?” you’ll know exactly what they mean—and you’ll be better equipped to decide whether it’s in your best interest to give fate that second spin of the wheel.
