一次发牌
Run It Once
A poker term referring to the practice of dealing only one complete board (community cards) to determine the winner of a hand, as opposed to running it multiple times; also the name of a poker training website founded by Phil Galfond.
Definition and Usage
In poker, "Run It Once" has two primary meanings. The most common usage refers to the decision to deal the remaining community cards only one time to determine the outcome of a hand, typically in cash games when players are all-in. This contrasts with "running it twice" (or more), where the board is dealt multiple times to split the pot proportionally. The phrase "run it once" is often used by a player to explicitly state that they want only one board dealt, even if multiple boards are offered.
Strategic Considerations
Choosing to run it once or multiple times is a matter of variance management, not expected value. Running it once maximizes variance — the winner takes the entire pot, which can lead to larger swings in bankroll. Running it multiple times reduces variance by averaging out the outcomes over several boards, but does not change the expected value of either player's hand (assuming no skill edge in reading future cards).
Players with a smaller bankroll or risk-averse tendencies may prefer to run it multiple times to smooth out results. Aggressive players or those with a large bankroll might prefer to run it once to maximize the thrill or to avoid giving opponents a "free" look at multiple boards. In some rooms, running it multiple times is standard or mandatory, while in others it is optional and must be agreed upon by both players.
Historical Context
The practice of running it multiple times originated in high-stakes cash games and became popular in the 2000s with the rise of online poker and televised high-stakes shows. "Run It Once" is also the name of a popular poker training site launched by Phil Galfond in 2018, which features high-level theory videos and forums.
Related Terms
- Running It Twice (or More): Dealing two (or more) separate boards when all-in, with each board determining a fraction of the pot.
- Deal: In home games or tournaments, a deal can be an agreement to redistribute prize money, unrelated to running boards.
- Variance: The statistical dispersion of outcomes; running it once increases variance, while multiple runs reduce it.