How Poker Side Pots Work
Whenever two or more players put chips into the middle, those chips form a pot. In a simple hand everyone contributes the same amount, so there is only one pot and the best hand at showdown takes it all. Side pots appear when players have different stack sizes and a short stack commits every chip it has while deeper stacks keep betting.
The main pot
The main pot is the first layer of the pot. Every player who has not folded is eligible to win it, and its size equals the smallest all-in amount multiplied by the number of players still in the hand. Once a player is all-in they cannot call or raise again, so any chips wagered beyond the short stack's total must be placed in a separate pot.
Side pots and the short-stack all-in
A side pot is a new pot created from the excess chips. Only players who contributed to that layer can win it. If three players are in the hand and one is all-in for 50 while the others continue betting, the 50 from each player goes into the main pot, and every additional chip goes into the side pot between the two deep stacks. Further betting can create a third or fourth side pot if another player runs out of chips.
The short-stack rule is simple: a player can only win the portion of the pot they paid into. Folding does not remove chips from the pot — a folded player's contribution stays in the middle and is awarded to the winner — but it removes all claim on any pot. That is why an all-in player can win the main pot even when the larger side pot goes to somebody else.
This calculator reproduces the same split. It sorts the distinct bet sizes, builds one pot per betting level, and assigns each player to every level they can cover. Chips that only one player contributed are returned as uncalled bets instead of being counted in a pot.
Worked Example: Three Players All-In
Alice is short-stacked and moves all-in for 50. Bob calls with 120. Carol covers both players and commits 200. The total in front of the dealer is 370 chips, but it is not one pot — it is two pots plus an uncalled return.
- Main pot — 150. Every player put in the first 50, so three players × 50 = 150. Alice, Bob, and Carol are all eligible. If Alice has the best hand she wins this pot and nothing else.
- Side pot — 140. Only Bob and Carol wagered past 50. Each contributed another 70, so two × 70 = 140. Alice cannot win this pot because she never matched those chips.
- Returned to Carol — 80. Carol's final 80 was never called by anyone, so it comes back to her before showdown and never enters a pot.
| Player | Total bet | Main pot | Side pot | Returned |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice | 50 | 50 | — | — |
| Bob | 120 | 50 | 70 | — |
| Carol | 200 | 50 | 70 | 80 |
| Total | 370 | 150 | 140 | 80 |
The main pot (150) is awarded to the best hand among all three players, and the side pot (140) goes to the best hand between Bob and Carol only. Enter the same numbers in the calculator above to see the identical breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to odd chips when a pot cannot be split evenly?
When two players tie and the pot contains an odd chip, the extra chip is normally awarded to the player in the earliest position after the button, or split as house rules allow. Most casinos never break a chip; the odd chip simply goes to one player. The calculator shows whole chip amounts, so if a split leaves a remainder, confirm the rule at your table.
How are chopped pots handled?
A chopped pot is a tie. The pot is divided equally among the tied players, and each tied player can only claim pots they were eligible for. If two players chop the main pot but only one of them was in the side pot, the side pot still belongs to the sole eligible player.
How do side pots work with more than one short stack?
Each distinct bet size creates a new layer. With four players betting 20, 50, 120, and 200, the calculator builds a main pot at the 20 level (everyone eligible), a side pot at the 50 level (three players), and another side pot at the 120 level (two players). The lone 200 bet has no caller and is returned. Any number of all-ins can be layered this way.
Are uncalled bets returned to the bettor?
Yes. Chips bet beyond what any opponent matched were never contested, so they are returned to the person who bet them before the pot is awarded. The calculator lists these under "Returned" so you can see the exact amount.