
The great game of poker, at the end of the day, is all about the pot. The money to be won from other poker players is the ultimate reason to play the game. But did you know that it’s possible to play for more than one pot in the same game? In Hi-Lo games, for instance, there are two pots to play for, which you can win by making the best high and low hand. Then there’s what’s known as the “dealer’s nightmare” – the side pot in poker. This is a betting situation that can arise when a player goes all-in but doesn’t have enough chips to cover the main bet. Texas Hold’em side pot rules can be confusing for the uninitiated, so here’s a comprehensive guide for you to use if you find yourself in a side pot situation while playing online poker.
What Is a Side Pot in Texas Hold’em?
Any complete guide to Texas Hold’em should include information about side pots, or else it’s not complete. So what exactly is a side pot in Texas Hold’em? Imagine you play poker online, and you open for $10. Three opponents call, and you c-bet on the flop for $20. One opponent folds, the others call, and there are now $100 worth of chips in the pot.
The turn comes, and you bet again, for $60. Player one calls, but player two only has $40 worth of chips remaining, so they go all in. That $40 now goes into the main pot, but what about all the chips the all-in doesn’t cover? The dealer takes them and puts them into a side pot which only you and player one can now compete for. The all-in player can only play for the main pot.
How Side Pots Are Created and Managed
So what happens now? Let’s return to the previous example. Poker all-in rules dictate that players can only start the hand with the chips in front of them, so the all-in player (player two) puts $40 into the main pot. The dealer then takes $40 from you and the other player, and puts them in the main pot as well. This makes for a main pot worth $220. This is the total amount that the all-in player can win from this hand.
However, since you bet $60 on the turn, and player one called it, there are $40 worth of chips that still need to be accounted for. As a result, the dealer takes these chips and puts them in a separate pot on the side. Now you’re competing for two pots instead of one: The main pot, a multiway between you and both your opponents, and the side pot, which is only between you and player one.
Depending on how things work out, you can win one, both, or none of these pots. As long as you and your opponent still have chips behind, you can continue betting on all streets that remain. In this example, the side pot was created on the turn, so you and your opponent can still bet on the river, without any restrictions. When it comes to showdown, the main pot is awarded first, and the side pot after that.
Key Rules for Playing and Winning a Side Pot
So how do you play and win a side pot in poker? First, remember to keep your eyes on the main pot, as that’s where most of the money is. As always, the player with the best hand at showdown scoops the chips. Say it’s fifth street, and the board has the following texture: 7♠️ 9♦️ J♣️ 4♠️ K♦️.
You’re holding A♠️ 10♠️, which doesn’t pair with the board.
Player one has Q♠️ 7♣️, missing the draw they were going for.
Player two shows K♣️ 10♦️, for a pair of kings.
In this situation, player two has the best hand and wins the main pot. However, since they went all in, they cannot compete for the side pot. Since your ace high card beats your opponent’s queen, the $40 side pot goes to you.
As you can see, the good thing about side pots is that they allow the betting action to continue when players go all-in. This adds to the excitement of the game and can make for more equitable distribution of funds.
Note that it’s possible for multiple side pots to be created. Say you’re up against three other players: A, B, and C. Imagine A goes all-in on the flop, creating a side-pot between you, B, and A. B then goes all-in on the turn, but you and C still have chips behind, so you continue betting. This creates a second side pot between you and C. If everything goes your way, the main pot and both side pots could be yours.
In theory, a new side pot can arise every time a player goes all in. In a six-handed game, there could be five side pots in addition to the main. This is the reason for the name “dealer’s nightmare.”
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Increase your range of winning poker possibilities with Texas Hold’em side pot rules. Learn when side pots are created, and how to win them in online poker.