Splitwise for Poker: How to Settle Up a Home Game
Updated Nov 12, 2026
Short answer: Splitwise works for the last step of a poker night: recording who owes who and keeping the balance between friends. It's built for splitting shared expenses and IOUs, though, so it doesn't log buy-ins and rebuys or count chips. You work out each player's result first, then enter the debts. A poker tracker does both in one place: HG Poker logs every buy-in on the host's phone, counts the chips and shows who owes who. HG Poker doesn't move money; players still pay each other.
How to use Splitwise for poker (step by step)
- During the game, write down every buy-in and rebuy. Use paper, a notes app or our free buy-in tracker.
- At the end, count each player's chips. Turn them into dollars. The poker chip counter does the math and checks the table matches what went in.
- Work out each result. Chips cashed out minus money bought in. The results must add to $0. If they don't, fix the count before anyone pays.
- Put your poker group in Splitwise. Record what each loser owes. The simplest honest way is one IOU per payment from the settlement calculator's list. Splitwise also has a "simplify debts" option for balances inside a group.
- Settle up. Pay however your group pays, then mark it settled in Splitwise.
Worked example (6 players, $20 buy-ins)
This is the same night as the poker chip counter's worked example, so the numbers match the rest of the site. Mike and Dave each rebought once.
Scroll table horizontally →
| Player | Bought in | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mike | $40 | −$31.50 |
| Dave | $40 | −$19.50 |
| Chris | $20 | −$2.00 |
| Jen | $20 | +$19.50 |
| Sam | $20 | +$31.00 |
| Tony | $20 | +$2.50 |
| Total | $160 | $0.00 |
Run those results through the settlement calculator for the payment list, and enter each payment in Splitwise as an IOU.
Splitwise vs a poker tracker
Scroll table horizontally →
| Splitwise | HG Poker | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Shared expenses and IOUs: rent, trips, dinners | Home poker games |
| Buy-ins and rebuys during play | Not in its listing | One tap per buy-in, with the live pot |
| Chip count at the end | Not in its listing | Yes, with a check when totals don't balance |
| Who owes who | Yes, from the debts you enter; "simplify debts" option | Yes, from the game itself, in the settle tab |
| Group history | Balances across groups | All-time standings and insights for your table |
| Payments | Record cash payments or use its integrations | Doesn't hold or move money; players pay outside the app |
| Price | Free app; Pro features listed on its site | Free to download; Pro or a 3-game pass for more |
Splitwise facts are from its App Store listing and splitwise.com, checked on November 12, 2026. "Not in its listing" means the listing doesn't mention it.
When Splitwise is enough
If your group already lives in Splitwise for trips and dinners, and one person keeps a careful ledger of the game, use it for the debts. If the ledger is the part that keeps breaking (missed rebuys, counts that don't add up, 20 minutes of math at 1 a.m.), track the game itself.
Watch the video: Stop tracking home poker games in spreadsheets.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use Splitwise for poker?
Yes, for the debts at the end. Splitwise records IOUs and balances between friends, but it doesn't track buy-ins, rebuys or chip counts, so work out each player's result first and then enter what each player owes.
How do I split poker winnings in Splitwise?
Work out each player's result (chips cashed out minus money bought in), check the results add to zero, turn them into payments with a settlement calculator, and enter each payment as an IOU in your poker group.
Is there a Splitwise for poker?
Poker trackers do the same job for a game: HG Poker logs buy-ins and rebuys on the host's phone, counts chips and shows who owes who. It records the game only and doesn't hold or move money.
What if the poker results don't add up to zero?
Someone's chips were miscounted or a rebuy wasn't written down. Recount before anyone pays; the chip counter lists the four usual causes.
Related guides
- How to settle up a home poker game
- Poker ledger template
- PokerNow alternative for in-person games
- Best home poker apps compared
- How to track poker winnings in a home game
Track the game, not just the debts. Download on the App Store · Get it on Google Play