A side pot is a separate pot created when one or more players go all-in for less than the full betting amount, while other players with larger stacks continue betting. The all-in player can only win from the main pot up to their stack size, while the remaining players compete for both the main pot and the side pot(s).
Side pots are one of poker’s most important mechanics for ensuring fairness when players have different stack sizes. They guarantee that no player can win more from any opponent than what they’ve risked themselves. This fundamental rule keeps the game equitable whether you’re playing with $50 or $5,000. When multiple players go all-in with different stack sizes, multiple side pots can form, each contested only by players who contributed to that specific pot. Understanding side pots is crucial for tournament poker, where varying stack sizes are the norm, and for calculating your actual equity in multi-way all-in situations.
How Do Side Pots Work?
When a player goes all-in and gets called by players with larger stacks, the dealer creates a main pot containing the all-in amount multiplied by the number of players. Any additional betting goes into a side pot.
Example 1: Basic Side Pot
Three players see a flop. Player A has $100, Player B has $300, Player C has $500. Player A goes all-in for $100. Players B and C call, creating a main pot of $300 ($100 × 3). Players B and C can continue betting, with any additional money going into a side pot that Player A cannot win.
Example 2: Multiple Side Pots
Four players on the turn. Player A has $50, Player B has $150, Player C has $400, Player D has $600. All players go all-in:
- Main pot: $200 ($50 × 4) , all four players eligible
- Side pot 1: $300 (($150-$50) × 3) , Players B, C, D eligible
- Side pot 2: $500 (($400-$150) × 2) , Players C and D eligible
- Side pot 3: $200 ($600-$400) , Only Player D can win this (gets it back)
Dealing with Side Pots
The dealer physically separates each pot, often using different chip denominations or positions on the table. At showdown, pots are awarded starting from the last side pot created (contested by fewest players) back to the main pot (contested by all players).
Who Wins What?
| Pot Type | Who Can Win | Showdown Order |
|---|---|---|
| Main Pot | All players who were in at that bet level | Award last |
| Side Pot 1 | Players who contributed to it | Award after later side pots |
| Side Pot 2+ | Only contributors | Award from latest to earliest |
Side Pot vs Main Pot: What’s the Difference?
The main pot contains the maximum amount each player can win from every opponent based on the smallest stack that went all-in. Side pots contain any betting that exceeds this amount. A player can win multiple pots if they have the best hand and contributed to each pot. The key distinction: all-in players can only win pots they helped create.
Key Facts
- Creation trigger: Any all-in for less than the current bet/raise
- Maximum pots: Theoretically N-1 pots with N players (if all have different stacks)
- Online poker: Software calculates automatically and displays pot amounts
- Live poker: Dealer must physically separate and track each pot
- Tournament impact: More common in tournaments due to varying stack sizes
Hear It at the Table
Key Takeaway
Side pots ensure fairness by limiting each player’s potential winnings to what they’ve risked. While they can seem complex with multiple all-ins, remember the simple rule: you can only win from each opponent up to the amount you’ve bet. This mechanic keeps poker equitable regardless of bankroll differences.
Pro Tip: In tournaments, being the middle stack in a three-way all-in is often the worst position. The short stack can triple up in the main pot while you’re eliminated in the side pot. Sometimes it’s better to fold and let others eliminate each other.
