Bomb Pots: How to Run the Most Exciting Poker Home Game Hand

A bomb pot is a poker hand where every player at the table puts in a mandatory ante before the cards are dealt. There is no preflop betting. Everyone sees a flop, and most games run two boards to create even more action.

The result is a massive pot that anyone can win. No one gets to fold preflop, so tight players have to gamble. Loose players get the action they want. And the double board format means you can win half, lose half, or scoop the entire pot.

Here is the step by step process for running bomb pots at your home game:

1. Collect the ante. Every player puts in a preset amount. This is usually 5x to 10x the big blind. For a 1/2 game, a $10 or $20 ante is common.
2. Deal the cards. Each player gets their normal hole cards. There is no preflop action.
3. Deal TWO flops. Place two separate three-card flops side by side on the board. These are Board A and Board B.
4. Resume betting. Now betting starts. Players check, bet, or fold as normal. You are playing for both boards at once.
5. Run out both boards. Deal a turn and river for each board. Keep them clearly separated.
6. Showdown. The best hand on Board A wins half the pot. The best hand on Board B wins the other half. One player can win both.

Most home games use one of these triggers:

• Every orbit: Run a bomb pot each time the button goes full circle. This creates regular action spikes.
• On the hour: At the top of each hour, the next hand is a bomb pot. Easy to remember.
• After a scoop: When someone wins a massive pot, the next hand becomes a bomb pot to spread the wealth.
• Table vote: Anyone can call for a bomb pot if the table agrees. Democratic chaos.

Bomb pots play differently than regular hands. You are multiway with no preflop information, which changes everything.

• Play for the nuts. With more opponents, you need stronger hands to win at showdown.
• Position matters even more. You are seeing flops with 6+ players, and information is gold.
• Focus on one board if you miss the other. Chasing two draws usually ends badly.
• Big draws gain value. Flush draws and straight draws have massive implied odds in bomb pots.

• Single board: Just one board. Less variance, faster hand resolution.
• PLO bomb pot: Deal four cards instead of two. Maximum chaos.
• Triple board: Three boards at once. Only for the degens.
• Progressive ante: Each bomb pot ante increases by 1 BB throughout the night.