All-in and side pots: you can only win what you matched
When a player goes all-in for less than others bet, the chips split into pots. The main pot holds what every player matched. Extra bets go into a side pot that only the players who paid into it can win.
Reviewed Oct 14, 2026
Answer first
90s| Player | Stack all-in | Can win |
|---|---|---|
| A | $50 | Main pot only |
| B | $120 | Main and side pot 1 |
| C | $300 (covers) | Main, side 1 and side 2 |
| D | Folded earlier | Nothing |
Key numbers
Side pots in four numbers
In short
Key takeaways
- An all-in player can win from each opponent only as much as they put in.
- Side pots are settled first, starting with the last one created.
- A player who is all-in can still win the main pot.
- The dealer builds the pots; ask if you are unsure of a split.
On the felt
Showdown with a side pot
A (all-in $50): A-A
Best hand — wins the $150 main pot
B ($120): K-K
Second best — wins the $140 side pot
C (covers): Q-J
Wins nothing; gets back $180 uncalled
Board 9-7-4-3-2: each pot goes to the best hand among the players in it.
Worked example
| Pot | Built from | Eligible |
|---|---|---|
| Main pot $150 | $50 × 3 players | A, B, C |
| Side pot 1 $140 | $70 × 2 players | B, C |
| Uncalled $180 | C’s extra bet | Returned to C |
An uncalled bet goes back to the bettor.
How the dealer builds pots
The dealer takes the smallest all-in amount from each player into the main pot. Then the next smallest stack sets the first side pot, and so on.
Each new side pot is placed separately so it can be awarded on its own.
Who wins what
| Best hand | Main pot | Side pot 1 |
|---|---|---|
| A | A wins $150 | Best of B and C |
| B | B wins $150 | B wins $140 |
| C | C wins $150 | C wins $140 |
A cannot win side pot 1 even with the best hand.
Showdown order
Side pots are usually shown down and awarded before the main pot. Players still active in a side pot show first.
In many rooms, all-in players must turn their cards face up once all betting is over.
Sequence
Settling an all-in hand
Step 01
Count stacks
Find the smallest all-in.
Step 02
Build the main pot
Match that amount from everyone.
Step 03
Build side pots
Repeat for each larger stack.
Step 04
Return uncalled chips
Any bet no one matched.
Step 05
Award from the last pot
Then work back to the main pot.
Split side pots
If two players tie in a side pot, they split it. Odd chips usually go to the first seat left of the button.
Tournament rules follow the same pot logic, with chips instead of cash.
Floor rules
Pot terms
Know before you sit
- All-in
- Betting all your chips.
- Main pot
- Chips every player matched.
- Side pot
- Chips only some players can win.
- Table stakes
- Only chips on the table play.
Three-way all-in
When three short stacks go all-in for different amounts, the dealer may build two side pots. Each one is awarded separately, starting with the pot the fewest players can win.
Short all-in raises
An all-in for less than a full raise does not reopen the betting for players who already acted, under most cardroom rules. Players who have not acted can still raise.
Common mistakes
- Thinking all-in wins everything
- Only up to your stake.
- Mixing pots
- Keep side pots separate.
- Mucking an all-in hand
- Turn it up at showdown.
- Forgetting uncalled bets
- They are returned.
Keep reading
Related pages
Go play
Where to play in Las Vegas
Tap a resort — each row opens that casino’s White Gambling page (hours, poker status, floor facts). Print poker rooms, sorted by published table count.
Open a casino page
Real listings · not adsAfter the 90 seconds
Questions before and after you play
A 90-second guide cannot cover every table moment. Tap a group, then a question — answers are short paragraphs, not one-liners.
01Basics
What is a side pot?
A pot made from bets that a short-stacked all-in player could not match. Only players who paid into it can win it.
Can an all-in player win the whole pot?
They can win only the main pot and any pots they matched. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
Who builds the side pots?
The dealer, using the smallest all-in amounts first. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
02Showdown
Which pot is awarded first?
Usually the last side pot created, then back to the main pot. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
Must all-in players show?
In many rooms, yes, once all betting is done. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
What if two players tie?
They split that pot equally. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
03Rules
What are table stakes?
You can only bet chips on the table at the start of the hand. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
What happens to an uncalled bet?
It is returned to the player who made it. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
Do tournaments use side pots?
Yes, with the same rules. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
Sources
- Robert’s Rules of Poker Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026All-in and side pot rules
- Poker TDA — Rules Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Tournament rules
- UNLV Center for Gaming Research Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Research library on casino games and gambling
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER