Understanding Side Pots - Poker Explained
Side pots are a common occurrence in poker games, especially in no-limit formats. Understanding how they work is crucial for knowing what you can win and how the game flows when players have different stack sizes. This guide will break down everything you need to know about side pots.
What is a Side Pot?
A side pot is a separate pot created when one or more players are all-in, but other players with more chips continue to bet. The all-in player(s) are only eligible to win the main pot, which consists of their all-in amount and matching contributions from other active players. Any betting that occurs after a player is all-in, and which that all-in player cannot match, goes into a side pot.
There can be multiple side pots if players with varying stack sizes go all-in at different points in the hand.
Why Do Side Pots Occur?
Side pots exist to ensure fairness in the game. A player cannot win more chips from any single opponent than they have in their own stack. When a player goes all-in, they are contesting for a pot up to the amount of their stack against each player still in the hand.
If other players have more chips and wish to continue betting against each other, their additional wagers form a side pot (or pots) that the all-in player with fewer chips has no claim to.
How Are Side Pots Calculated and Awarded?
Calculating side pots can seem complex, but it follows a logical process:
- The Main Pot: When a player goes all-in, all the money in the pot before their all-in, plus their all-in bet, and matching calls from all subsequent players, forms the main pot. The all-in player can only win this pot.
- Creating the First Side Pot: If two or more players remain active after the first player is all-in, and they continue to bet, these additional bets form the first side pot. Only players who contributed to this side pot are eligible to win it.
- Multiple Side Pots: If another player goes all-in for an amount greater than the first all-in player but less than other remaining players, a second side pot is created. This process continues for each all-in situation.
When it's time for the showdown:
- The last side pot created is awarded first, among the players eligible for it.
- Then the next side pot is awarded, and so on, working back to the main pot.
- The main pot is awarded last, among all players who reached showdown, including those who were all-in.
- A player who is all-in can win the main pot and any side pots they were eligible for (i.e., they had enough chips to contribute to their creation).
Example of a Side Pot Scenario
Let's consider a No-Limit Hold'em game with three players:
- Player A: $50 stack
- Player B: $200 stack
- Player C: $300 stack
Action:
- Player A goes all-in for $50.
- Player B calls the $50.
- Player C calls the $50.
At this point, the Main Pot is $150 ($50 from A, $50 from B, $50 from C). Player A is eligible to win this $150 if they have the best hand among all three players.
Further Action (between Player B and Player C):
- Player B bets an additional $100.
- Player C calls the $100.
A Side Pot 1 is created with $200 ($100 from B, $100 from C). Only Player B and Player C are eligible to win this side pot. Player A cannot win any part of this $200 because they did not have enough chips to contribute to it.
Showdown:
- If Player A has the best hand overall: Player A wins the Main Pot ($150). The Side Pot ($200) is awarded to either Player B or Player C, whoever has the better hand between them.
- If Player B has the best hand overall: Player B wins the Main Pot ($150) AND Side Pot 1 ($200), for a total of $350.
- If Player C has the best hand overall: Player C wins the Main Pot ($150) AND Side Pot 1 ($200), for a total of $350.