A new No Limit variant has launched in the PokerStars lobby with two boards instead of one, but everything else is the same.

Fans of live dealer's choice and fun home games will probably recognise the new format from PokerStars - Split Hold'em. It is essentially 'Double Flop Hold'em' which is exactly as the name suggests.

It works exactly like a standard No Limit Hold'em cash game but two flops, turns and rivers are dealt. This means a lot of split pots unless you scoop both boards or manage to take it down with a bluff.

The game only uses one 'deck' meaning that if the Ace of Diamonds is on board one, it cannot be drawn on board two. This makes for an interesting dynamic where you have a better idea of your outs on one board because some of them will be on the other board.

It therefore plays a lot like Omaha Hi/Lo with the split pots meaning there is probably more action, more 'winning moments' and likely keeps more recreational player money in the ecosystem for longer.

Split Hold'em

The rake is the same as a standard No Limit cash game (it is not taken per board). The current stakes go from $0.02/$0.05 all the way to $10/$20 with all the usual ones in between.

Have you tried this new format yet? Share your thoughts in the comments: