In online poker, the concept of cash drops, more commonly known as Splash the Pot, has grown significantly in popularity over the years. It plays a key role in driving traffic to cash game tables, as it effectively adds free money into play for players.
The basic idea is straightforward: certain cash game tables are randomly selected as “Splash” or “Hot Tables,” triggering a bonus prize. In most cases, this extra money is added to the pot and awarded to the winner of the hand, though some formats distribute a portion among all players at the table. This should not be confused with Bomb Pots, where the pot is built using forced contributions from players in the form of bigger blinds.
While the idea of randomized cash drops has been around for some time, it was Phil Galfond’s Run It Once Poker (now operating as BetRivers Poker in the US) that formalized it as a permanent feature under the name “Splash the Pot” in 2019. Since its launch, several operators have introduced their own versions.
GGPoker was among the first to adopt a similar model, integrating it into its fast-fold games. PartyPoker followed with its own take, although it has since discontinued the feature. Winamax continues to offer it in parts of Southern Europe, and a number of offshore operators targeting US players have also implemented variations. While the concept remains consistent, each operator tweaks the size and frequency of the added bonuses.
In the regulated US online poker market, only two operators currently offer this type of feature: BetRivers Poker, which introduced the original concept, and BetMGM Poker, which runs a similar system under the name Hot Tables.
Both features revolve around injecting extra money into cash game pots on a random basis, adding an extra layer of excitement. However, there are some notable differences. This article takes a closer look at how Splash the Pot and Hot Tables compare.
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Splash the Pot vs Hot Tables
| BetRivers Poker | BetMGM Poker | |
|---|---|---|
| Product Name | Splash the Pot | Hot Tables |
| Available Since | January 2026 | January 2023 |
| Largest Drop | $20,000 | $3,000 |
| Multiplier | 1x to 1,000x | 1x to 2,400x |
| Stakes | All cash game tables | Select stakes only |
| Format | Only Ring Games | Ring Games + Fast Fold Tables |
| Opt-in Required? | No | No |
| Trigger | 2 players minimum | 3 players minimum |
| Drop Range | $0.02 to $20,000 | $1 to $3,000 |
| Funding | No Extra Rake Charged | Not Known |
How BetRivers Poker’s Splash the Pot Works
Starting with BetRivers Poker’s Splash the Pot (STP), the feature went live in January 2026 and is available across all states where the platform operates: Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, and Delaware.
The mechanics remain largely unchanged from their original version. Bonus money is added to the pot before the flop, creating high-impact moments during otherwise standard hands.
STP can trigger on any cash game table at random. When it does, players are alerted through a clear visual cue, bonus chips falling onto the table, making it immediately obvious that the hand has been selected. These chips are then added directly to the pot.
From there, the hand plays out as usual. The winner of the pot, whether by showdown or by forcing others to fold, collects both the regular pot and the added bonus. This can influence decision-making, as players may be more inclined to contest pots that are suddenly larger than normal.
Although the feature is random, the likelihood of a splash occurring is based on a defined formula:
Likelihood = (Rake Return % × Previous Hand Rake) / Average size of a splash
For instance, if the rake return percentage is 5%, the previous hand generated 5 big blinds in rake, and the expected splash size is 10 big blinds, the probability comes out to (5% × 5BB) / 10BB = 2.5%. In other words, there is a 2.5% chance that the next hand will trigger a splash.
In simple terms, the more rake generated in the previous hand, the higher the chance of a splash occurring in the next one.
Splash amounts can range from as little as 1 big blind to as much as 1,000 big blinds in what is known as a Big Splash. These rare events work differently: all players automatically reveal their hands, no betting takes place, and the board is dealt out. The winner receives the largest share, typically 70%, while the remaining 30% is distributed among the other players dealt into the hand. This changes the usual winner-takes-all dynamic into something more communal.
The actual size and frequency of splashes depend on configurations set for each cash game pool, which are not publicly disclosed by the operator.
One of the defining aspects of Splash the Pot is how it is funded. Unlike many other features in online poker, it does not rely on additional rake from players. Instead, the operator funds it directly, effectively turning it into a form of extra rakeback. On average, this sits at a minimum of 5%, and can be higher during promotional periods. Another key difference is that STP is available across all cash game tables, regardless of stakes.
How BetMGM Poker’s Hot Tables Work
Turning to BetMGM Poker’s Hot Tables, the feature has been active since January 2023 in New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. At a glance, it operates in a very similar way.
Hot Tables are randomly selected, and when triggered, extra money is added to the pot. Players are immediately aware of the change, as the table adopts a gold-themed design to signal that it is “hot.”
However, there are some restrictions. Unlike STP, Hot Tables are only available at specific stakes: $0.10/$0.25, $0.25/$0.50, $1/$2, and $2/$5. This applies to both regular ring games and fast-forward formats. Additionally, at least three players must be dealt into the hand for the feature to activate, whereas STP only requires two.
The size of the added bonus varies depending on both the stake level and the Hot Table tier, ranging from 1x to as much as 2,400x the big blind. At the highest stakes, the added prize can reach up to $3,000.
Hot Tables are divided into five tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. In Bronze and Silver, the entire bonus goes to the winner of the hand. From Gold upwards, the structure changes, 50% is awarded to the winner, while the remaining 50% is split among the other active players.
Smaller bonuses occur more frequently, while the largest boosts, up to 2,400 big blinds at lower stakes and 600 big blinds at higher stakes, are much rarer. These upper limits translate to the top-end prizes seen on the platform.
BetMGM does not disclose how frequently Hot Tables are triggered or what triggers it. It is also unclear how the feature is funded, whether through additional rake or directly by the operator.
Another difference is the lack of promotional overlays. While BetRivers occasionally boosts its Splash the Pot payouts as part of promotions, no such enhancements are currently tied to Hot Tables.
Both systems add an extra layer of unpredictability and excitement to cash games, but they take slightly different approaches in terms of availability, structure, and transparency. Ultimately, which one feels more appealing will depend on what players value more: wider availability and clearer mechanics, or tiered rewards and higher potential top-end payouts.
