Why Do You Run a Poker Hand Twice? An In-Depth Guide

Hey folks, today we‘re going to do a deep dive on the run it twice option – when and why you should consider using it to smooth out variance and reduce big swings in poker cash games.

Running it twice (or even 3x online) is a powerful tool when used right, but it can also erase your edge if you overdo it. I‘ll break down all the ins and outs so you know exactly when and how to run it twice for maximum impact.

Let‘s get started!

What Does "Run It Twice" Mean in Poker?

First, a quick primer on what we‘re talking about. Running it twice refers to dealing out the community cards twice when two players are all-in. Usually this is pre-flop or on the flop, before the turn and river are dealt.

Here‘s exactly how it works:

• The players involved have to agree to run it twice before any cards are dealt. You can‘t decide on the fly after seeing a scary flop!
• The remaining cards are then dealt twice, keeping the hole cards for each player the same.
• The pot is divided equally into two pots.
• Each separate board runout determines who scoops that half pot based on the best 5-card hand.

No card is burned between the two runs since all the money is already in the middle. It‘s just two separate board runouts using the same player cards.

This differs from running it 3x online where the pot is split 3 ways. But the concept is the same – deal out multiple boards and award each portion of the pot accordingly.

Why Do Players Run It Twice in Poker?

The main reason to run it twice is to reduce variance. While it doesn‘t change your overall EV (expected value) in the hand, it does help smooth out the swings you‘ll encounter along the way.

Some key benefits of running it twice:

• Mitigates the impact of suck-outs and bad beats. If you get it in good but lose one run, at least you scoop some value on the other.
• Protects in coinflip spots where either player could end up winning a huge pot (e.g. AA vs. KK).
• Cuts down on extreme bankroll fluctuations.
• Especially powerful in big bet games like NLHE, PLO and Big O where variance is multiplied.

Let‘s look at an example hand to quantify the impact. Say you have pocket kings (KK) and get it all in preflop against pocket queens (QQ). Your equity edge is 71.5% to 28.5% to win the hand.

Without running it twice, there‘s a 28.5% chance you‘ll lose the entire pot when you‘re a 71.5% favorite. That stings!

Now let‘s run it twice. Your chances to lose both runs is 0.285 * 0.285 = 8.1%. Much less likely!

You reduce the odds of a disaster scenario from 1 in 4 down to around 1 in 12. This really helps smooth out the peaks and valleys.

Here‘s a comparison:

Scenario	Chance to Lose Entire Pot
Run it Once	28.5%
Run it Twice	8.1%

So while running it twice doesn‘t change your overall equity, it does help manage that big single-hand risk.

This effect is even more pronounced for hands closer to 50/50. Let‘s say you run kings versus ace-queen instead:

Scenario	Chance to Lose Entire Pot
Run it Once	36.3%
Run it Twice	13.2%

Twice the equity reduction! You can see how running it twice helps temper the luck factor.

When Should You Consider Running it Twice?

Poker pros have varying opinions on when you should bust out the run it twice option. But most agree on a few key considerations:

Stack Depth

Many recommend running it twice when the effective stack size is 100 big blinds (BB) or less. The shorter the stack, the higher the volatility and chance of a flip situation.

For deeper stacks of 200 BB or more, some pros advocate running it 3x online to reduce variance even further. Anything to smooth out those rough 200 BB coolers!

Here‘s a general guideline on stack depth:

• 100 BB or less: Consider running it twice
• 101-200 BB: Could run twice, or three times online
• 200+ BB: Running it 3x online is recommended

Of course game dynamics also play a role. In passive games you‘ll see fewer preflop all-ins, so having a deeper stack before running it twice is reasonable.

Game Type

Running it twice originated in big bet poker variants where swings are amplified, like:

• No limit hold‘em (NLHE)
• Pot limit Omaha (PLO)
• Big O

The option is less common in limit games where you can only lose or win a small fixed amount each round. The variance just isn‘t as drastic.

It‘s also not typically used in mixed games like HORSE, where switching between game types helps smooth out swings anyways.

Volatile, Coinflip Spots

You should be selective about using the run it twice option. It‘s meant for highly volatile situations where a coinflip could result in a huge pot changing hands.

Some candidate hand types:

• Overpairs vs. big pocket pairs (AA vs KK)
• Big ace vs. big pocket pair (AQ vs. JJ)
• Suited connectors vs. big cards (78s vs AQ)
• Set vs. straight or flush draw

Where you have one player with a moderate edge and another with lots of outs. These are the perilous spots where running it twice really helps.

Don‘t just blanket run every pot twice without reason. You‘ll erase your skill edge over weaker opponents. Use it as a tool in specific high variance situations.

How Running It Twice Impacts Strategy

When you start frequently running it twice, you need to adjust your strategies accordingly. Here are a few implications to keep in mind:

• Be less hesitant about getting stacks in as a 60/40 or 70/30 favorite. The blowup risk if you lose is reduced.
• Consider wider call ranges preflop since you‘ll face fewer tough decisions postflop.
• You can play lower pocket pairs and suited connectors more liberally, knowing a sucked out loss on one run won‘t wreck you.
• However, you should still fold junk hands like 72o preflop. You‘ll lose equity postflop.
• Don‘t let running it twice stop you from extracting value with big hands. You still want to build pots when you smash the flop.
• Don‘t overdo it against weak players. You reduce your edge from implied odds and fold equity.

Running it twice lets you play a bit more aggressively when you have an edge. If your opponent wants to flip for stacks, you‘re getting the right price with only half the disaster risk.

But you can‘t just call off very light and expect to show profit. Make sure you‘re getting the implied odds by running it twice in spots where you already have an edge.

Why Some Players Refuse to Run It Twice

While running it twice has analytical advantages, some poker pros refuse to use the option. They see it as impure or going against the spirit of the game.

Their objections generally fall into two categories:

It Reduces Skill Edge

By running it twice, you are reducing the luck factor. But luck is a key part of poker strategy. Some opponents feel that constantly running it twice takes away an element of skill.

However, elite players can still leverage superior play despite variances being smoothed out. You have to be selective with when to use the option.

Against the Spirit of the Game

Some poker traditionalists argue running it twice should be reserved only for friendly home games. They see it as going against the casino mentality of playing to win at all costs.

Others counter that passing up a rules-allowed option to reduce variance is actually leaving EV on the table. Selectively running it twice in high volatility spots is the winning adjustment.

While I understand these perspectives, my advice is to do whatever gives you the overall statistical edge. If an opponent refuses to run it twice, don‘t take offense. But by mixing it in appropriately, you‘re ultimately boosting your bottom line.

Additional Variance Reduction Options Online

At many online poker sites, you have expanded options beyond just running it twice:

• Run it Three Times – The most popular online variance reducer. Each third of the pot is awarded separately.
• Four Times – Taking it even further by quartering the pot.
• Five or More – Some sites allow splitting the pot into even more pieces!

Here‘s a comparison of reducing the chance of losing the whole pot by running it multiple times online:

Times	Lose Entire Pot
1x	28.5%
2x	8.1%
3x	2.3%
4x	0.7%

As you can see, the more you split the pot, the lower the variance gets. Running it 4x reduces the risk of losing over 20x compared to running it once!

Of course, you also reduce your potential upside of scooping the whole thing. It‘s a tradeoff between variance reduction and EV maximization.

Many pros suggest running it 3x on stacks over 200 BB deep to keep things reasonable. Just don‘t get too carried away where you destroy your win rate.

The Mental and Psychological Side

There are also mental and psychological implications of running it twice that impact your mindset and stress levels:

• Less anger and tilt when sucking out. Getting scooped on one run stings less knowing you have another coming.

• Winning half the pot still gives a sense of accomplishment. You‘re not walking away totally empty handed.

• Less anxiety and indecision when facing an all-in spot for 100 BB or more.

• Easier to shrug off a cooler loss instead of dwelling on what might have been.

• Don‘t feel obligated to immediately rebuy after losing a big pot since you won some value.

• Reduced pressure from facing repeated huge overlays day after day.

All of these factors lead to better mental composure, less stress, and optimal play. When you remove the worry of getting wiped out on one hand, you can focus clearly on making +EV decisions.

Final Thoughts: Using It Wisely

While running it twice or more times can seem like a quick fix for bad luck, you have to use the option judiciously. Don‘t fall into the trap of overusing it.

Here are a few keys to running it twice effectively:

• Only use it selectively in highly volatile situations, not every single time.
• Consider stack depth and game dynamics when deciding frequency.
• Adjust your strategies to the reduced risk while still playing +EV poker.
• Don‘t compromise your edge just to reduce variance against weak opponents.
• Be ready to run it 3x or more online in deeper stacked games.

Keep in mind you could still lose both runs! So have a plan to rebuild if you punt your stack.

Used properly, running it twice is an excellent tool to smooth out swings and strengthen your poker bankroll for the long run.

I hope this deep dive gives you a solid grasp on the ins and outs of running it twice in poker. Let me know if you have any other questions!