In a draw poker game, to discard cards that make a made hand in the hope of making a much better one. For example, a player with J-J-10-9-8 may wish to break his pair of jacks to draw for the straight , and a lowball player may break his 9-high 9-5-4-2-A to draw for the wheel . In a Jacks-or-better draw game, a player breaking a high pair must keep the discarded card aside, to prove he had openers.
To end a session of play. The game broke at about 3:00 .
During a tournament, an interval where play ceases and the players are free to refresh or relieve themselves.