Side Pots and All-In Rules
Side pots happen when one or more players go all-in, but other players still have more chips behind.
An all-in player can only win the chips they were able to match. If other players keep betting after that, the extra chips go into a separate pot.
This can look confusing at first. However, the basic rule is simple: you can only win money from players you covered or matched.
What does all-in mean?
All-in means a player puts all remaining chips into the pot.
After going all-in, that player cannot make more betting decisions in the hand. They still keep their cards and can still win at showdown.
All-in situations are common in No-Limit poker. They can also happen in Pot-Limit and Fixed-Limit games when a player has too few chips to call a full bet.
What is a side pot?
A side pot is an extra pot created when one player is all-in and other players continue betting.
The all-in player can only win the main pot. The remaining players can keep betting into a side pot.
If more than one player goes all-in with different stack sizes, several side pots can be created.
Main pot vs side pot
The main pot is the pot every active player can win. It includes the chips each player was able to match.
A side pot includes extra chips that the shortest all-in player could not match.
Only players who contributed to a side pot can win that side pot. An all-in player who did not match those extra chips cannot win it.
Simple side pot example
Imagine three players are still in the hand.
Player A has $20. Player B has $60. Player C has $60.
Player A goes all-in for $20. Player B calls $20. Player C also calls $20.
The main pot is now $60. All three players can win that pot.
If Player B and Player C keep betting, their extra chips go into a side pot. Player A cannot win that side pot.
Multiple side pots
Multiple side pots can happen when several players go all-in with different stack sizes.
For example, one player has $20, another has $50, and another has $100. If all three go all-in, the pots must be separated.
The shortest stack can only win the smallest matched amount. The middle stack can win more, but not the chips above their own stack.
The biggest stack can win every pot they are eligible for.
Who can win each pot?
A player can only win a pot they contributed to.
If you are all-in for $25, you cannot win chips that were bet after your $25 was matched.
This is why a player can have the best hand overall but still not win every chip on the table.
The dealer or poker software will award each pot separately at showdown.
All-in before the flop
All-in situations can happen before the flop.
For example, a short stack may move all-in preflop. Other players can call, raise, or fold depending on the action.
If only one player calls, there is no side pot. If two or more players continue betting after matching the all-in, a side pot can form.
All-in after the flop
All-in situations can also happen after the flop, turn, or river.
The same rule applies. The all-in player can only win the chips they were able to match.
If other players still have chips and continue betting, those extra bets create a side pot.
All-in in No-Limit poker
No-Limit poker allows players to bet their full stack at any time.
This makes all-in decisions common in No-Limit Texas Hold’em tournaments and cash games.
A large all-in bet can put pressure on opponents. However, if a player has fewer chips, that player can only call with their remaining stack.
All-in in Pot-Limit poker
Pot-Limit poker limits the maximum bet to the size of the pot.
A player can still go all-in if the pot-limit rules allow it. A short stack may also end up all-in when calling a larger bet.
Pot-Limit Omaha creates many all-in situations because strong draws are common.
All-in in Fixed-Limit poker
Fixed-Limit poker uses fixed bet sizes. Players cannot choose to overbet all-in.
However, a player can still go all-in if they do not have enough chips to call the full fixed amount.
For example, if the bet is $10 and a player has only $6 left, that player can call all-in for $6.
Side pots at showdown
At showdown, each pot is awarded separately.
The dealer starts with the pot that involves the fewest eligible players. Online poker software handles this automatically.
A player may win the main pot, while another player wins the side pot. This happens when the all-in player has the best hand against one player, but another player beats the rest.
Example of split results
Imagine three players reach showdown.
Player A is all-in for $20. Player B and Player C have created a side pot.
Player A has the best hand overall. Player A wins the main pot only.
Then Player B and Player C compare hands for the side pot. The best hand between those two players wins the side pot.
What happens if the all-in player wins?
If the all-in player has the best hand, they win every pot they are eligible for.
They cannot win any side pot they did not contribute to.
This means an all-in player can triple up, double up, or win only part of the total chips in play.
What happens if the all-in player loses?
If the all-in player loses, they are eliminated from the hand.
In a cash game, they may reload after the hand if table rules allow it.
In a tournament, they are eliminated unless rebuys or re-entries are available.
All-in and table stakes
All-in rules connect directly to table stakes.
Table stakes means players can only bet the chips they had on the table when the hand started.
You cannot add more chips during an active hand. This protects every player from unexpected extra money entering the pot.
All-in calls with fewer chips
A player can call all-in with fewer chips than the full bet.
For example, if an opponent bets $100 and you have $35, you can call all-in for $35.
You can only win the part of the pot your $35 can contest. The rest goes into a side pot for other eligible players.
Side pots in tournaments
Side pots are especially common in tournaments because stack sizes vary.
Short stacks often go all-in. Bigger stacks may continue playing against each other after calling.
Tournament players should always know which pots they can win. This matters near the bubble and final table.
Side pots in cash games
Side pots also happen in cash games. The logic is the same as in tournaments.
The main difference is that cash game chips represent real money. A player who loses all chips may usually reload after the hand.
In online cash games, the software handles side pots automatically.
Common beginner mistakes
Many beginners think the best hand always wins all the chips. That is not true when side pots exist.
Another mistake is forgetting that each pot has its own eligible players. You can only win pots you contributed to.
Some players also stop paying attention after someone goes all-in. That can be costly if other players still have chips and betting continues.
Finally, beginners may misunderstand all-in calls. Calling all-in for fewer chips does not force every other player to reduce their bet.
Frequently asked questions about side pots and all-in rules
The player stays in the hand but cannot make more betting decisions.
Only players who contributed to that side pot can win it.
If the side pot was created after their all-in amount was matched, they cannot win it.
Each pot is awarded only among eligible players.
If their stack sizes are different and more players are involved, a side pot may be created.
The difference is that tournament chips do not have direct cash value, while cash game chips do.
In live poker, the dealer separates the pots and awards them at showdown.