A side pot is a separate pot created in poker when one or more players go all-in, but other players still have chips remaining to bet. The all-in player can only win the amount of chips that were in the main pot up to the point they went all-in, while the remaining players can continue to bet against each other for additional chips in the side pot. This mechanism ensures that an all-in player cannot win more than they contributed or matched, effectively isolating their potential winnings.
Example
Imagine a No-Limit Hold’em game with three players:
- Player A has $100.
- Player B has $200.
- Player C has $300.
On the flop, Player A goes all-in for their remaining $100. Player B calls the $100, and Player C also calls the $100. At this point, the Main Pot contains $300 ($100 from each player). Player A is all-in and can only win this $300.
However, Player B and Player C still have chips remaining ($100 for B, $200 for C). They continue betting on the turn and river. Suppose Player B bets $50 on the turn, and Player C calls the $50. This additional $100 ($50 from B, $50 from C) forms a Side Pot.
At showdown:
- If Player A has the best hand overall, they win the Main Pot of $300.
- If Player C has the best hand between Player B and Player C, Player C wins the Side Pot of $100.
- If Player A had a weaker hand than B and C, but Player B had a better hand than Player C, Player B would win the Side Pot.
Strategy Tip
Understanding side pots is crucial for accurate pot odds calculations and stack management, especially when facing all-in bets. As a player with a larger stack, knowing that you can build a side pot against other active players allows you to maximize your winnings if you have a strong hand, even if one opponent is all-in for a smaller amount. Conversely, if you are the one going all-in, be aware that you are capping your potential winnings from other players’ future bets, which might influence whether you want to bet all your chips or keep some behind to participate in a side pot if you believe you can win it. Always consider your effective stack against each opponent when a side pot is in play.
FAQ
Q: Can there be more than one side pot?
A: Yes, it’s entirely possible. If multiple players go all-in at different amounts, or at different stages of the betting round, multiple side pots can be created. Each side pot represents the portion of chips contributed by a specific group of players who still have chips remaining to bet against each other.
Q: Who is eligible to win a side pot?
A: Only players who have contributed chips to that specific side pot, and who still have chips remaining beyond the all-in player(s) that created the main pot, are eligible to win it. An all-in player can never win a side pot created *after* they went all-in, as they couldn’t contribute to it.
Q: What happens if all players go all-in at the same time?
A: If all remaining players go all-in simultaneously, or if only one player remains with chips after others have gone all-in, then no side pot is created. In such a scenario, the entire pot remains a single main pot, and all remaining players are eligible to win a portion of it up to the amount they contributed.