Horizontal chopping is effective for endocapsular nucleofractis. We describe pop and chop, a variant of chopping that enables an easy first crack and initial segment removal. It involves partial extracapsular prolapse of the nucleus prior to the initial chop. It is particularly useful when hydrodissection results in partial prolapse of the lens nucleus so that it is wedged into the anterior capsule opening. It is also helpful when beginning surgeons are learning phaco chop.