Side pots and split pots in poker explained
A side pot is created when a player goes all-in with fewer chips than the others. The all-in player can only win the main pot, the part they matched; the remaining players keep betting into a side pot that only they can win. A split pot happens when two or more players have exactly the same best hand.
Side pot example
Section titled “Side pot example”Three players are all-in before the flop:
- Anna: $20
- Ben: $50
- Chris: $100
| Pot | How it’s made | Who can win it |
|---|---|---|
| Main pot | $20 × 3 = $60 | Anna, Ben, Chris |
| Side pot 1 | ($50 − $20) × 2 = $60 | Ben, Chris |
| Returned | Chris’s extra $50 nobody matched | Back to Chris |
If Anna has the best hand, she wins the $60 main pot, and the better hand of Ben and Chris wins the $60 side pot.
Step-by-step rule
Section titled “Step-by-step rule”- Find the smallest all-in.
- Multiply it by the number of players who put in at least that much: that’s the main pot.
- Repeat with the next smallest stack for each side pot.
- Any amount nobody else matched goes back to its owner.
The dealer or software does this for you, but it helps to understand why you can’t win more than you put in from each opponent.
Split pots
Section titled “Split pots”- If two players have the same five-card hand, they split the pot equally. See kicker for how ties are broken.
- An odd chip that can’t be split is usually given to the first player left of the button (house rules vary).
- In Hi-Lo games, the pot is split between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand.
Why it matters for strategy
Section titled “Why it matters for strategy”When a short stack is all-in and two big stacks keep betting, the big stacks often check it down to improve the chance of busting the short stack, especially in tournaments near the bubble.
What is a side pot in poker?
Section titled “What is a side pot in poker?”A separate pot for players with more chips when another player is all-in for less.
Can an all-in player win the side pot?
Section titled “Can an all-in player win the side pot?”No. They can only win the main pot, the part they matched.
What happens with an odd chip in a split pot?
Section titled “What happens with an odd chip in a split pot?”It’s usually given to the first player left of the button, but house rules vary.
When is a pot split?
Section titled “When is a pot split?”When two or more players have exactly the same best five-card hand.