To chop or not to chop (apologies to Shakespeare)

[jaymfc]

I recently played a live tournament, where 3 out of the 4 of us remaining at the final table wanted to chop (it was getting late). The chip leader didn't. So we continued to play. I was lucky to get to heads up play with the player who hadn't wanted to chop earlier. I again asked if he wanted to chop. He was still the chip leader and said he didn't want to chop. Again, we continue to play. Then I won a big hand and had the decisive chip lead. He immediately asked to chop.

This made me wonder about chopping and the different approaches to it. When is it worth doing? Under what conditions would you chop at a final tournament table (live or online)? Or are you a "never chop, play to the end" player?

well with that guy I would tell him to eat

but depending on my chip stack and those left I would make a deal to ensure a decent payoff.
if 3 or less I would want to divide the money but leave a token amount extra and play it out for the win.
if they wanted to quit then I would need to be declared the winner

 

[19aleks57]

In my opinion, it all depends on your stack and desire to continue the tournament; if the number of chips is approximately the same for all players, then I am for Chopping.

 

[mammadduke]

I wouldn’t chop at the final table. i’m too much of the I want to win first place kind of player, just for the joy😂 . and if I don’t, that’s OK too, but Im gonna finish the game.. may the best hand win

 

[finaltable1]

I always like to play till the end if there is good interest in the game, surely I can chop in a not important game for a reason like "it's too late and i want to sleep". But if it's a big game then I wouldnt ask to split even if i'm the shortest stack. I like discipline in poker, there is a prize pool, go for it. I also don't like late registration in online tournaments, it also feels like low discipline...

 

[VictorOd]

I think there are 4 reasons to chop-

1. You believe you are at a skill disadvantage
2. You need to go/have other things you need to do/value the time more than the remaining prize money
3. Its life changing money to you
4. You are getting more in the chop than an icm chop - ie you are getting more in the chop than you deserve

I started to name reasons when I read this answer. Exactly reasons I thought about, can't formulate better probably.

 

[VVi10]

I think it will depends on how are the table, chip leader, other players stacks and how big is the prize money for the first positions.

 

[gillbates21]

i usually say no to chopping, but i would consider chopping if the money is better than usual

 

[Igor G]

If they offer me a deal, I'm ready in principle. But the deal must be fair, fair for all participants. I think this function, that is, the possibility of concluding an deal, which is valid for example on pokerstars, is very good, it is a pity that it is not available on other sites.

 

[billibooo]

I recently played a live tournament, where 3 out of the 4 of us remaining at the final table wanted to chop (it was getting late). The chip leader didn't. So we continued to play. I was lucky to get to heads up play with the player who hadn't wanted to chop earlier. I again asked if he wanted to chop. He was still the chip leader and said he didn't want to chop. Again, we continue to play. Then I won a big hand and had the decisive chip lead. He immediately asked to chop.

This made me wonder about chopping and the different approaches to it. When is it worth doing? Under what conditions would you chop at a final tournament table (live or online)? Or are you a "never chop, play to the end" player?

I have never chopped in a live tourney, but I did once after many hours of play agree to play the next hands all in blind until a winner was declared. <3 When I lost the hand I asked if I could use my rebuy lol I did not want to for real but there was a moment to be funny and I took it

I will chop online if everyone else wants to and it seems level. Idk sharing is caring

 

[gabryyyel31]

If you don't master the game very well at the final table, a chop could be convenient, but if you feel at ease and don't have much pressure in terms of money, you can go all the way without chop or make a deal.

 

[RustyRed83]

I'm not a chopper. Unless there is life changing money at steak. If it is a $5 tournament, then forget it.

 

[riverlizard3]

When new to poker, i always felt pressured to chop when old timers brought it up.
that all changed when i was killing the table and this older bossy woman suggested a three-way chop and her stack was one third of mine ,i first said.it could be chopped if we take into consideration our chip size, she didn't like that idea. so, we continued and after she lost more, she offered me a bigger percentage, so i let her off the hook and took it. when i look back ,i should have just gone all the way.

 

[gon4iypes]

I think it depends on how you see the situation and what would be best for you. Without feeling pressured by the others, what would you REALLY like to do?