Active and Side Pots

How the pots Work?

ACTIVE/MAIN POT - The pot that all active players have contributed to and that all active players are eligible to win, occurring in a situation where a side pot is created. Separate showdowns occur for each side pot and for the main pot, and players not eligible to win a particular pot do not participate in the showdown for it.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Example: In a particular game Player A has $4, Player B has $20, and Player C has $20. Player A goes all-in with $4, Player B raises to $11, and Player C calls for $11. Because Players B and C have bet more than player A can call, a side pot is created. The side pot is the amount that B and C bet that was not matched by A: $7 each for a total side pot of $14. The main pot is the money that was matched by all players who are still playing: $4 from A, $4 from B, and $4 from C, for a total main pot of $12.

EXAMPLE: "My three of a kind was enough to win the side pot but it was beaten by my opponent's straight in the showdown for the main pot."

SIDE POT - Created once a player is all in and other players continue betting "on the side" (literally). The side pot is distinct from the main pot in that only the players still betting play for it, while the all-in player can only win the main pot. If there are multiple all-in players, multiple side pots can potentially be created.

For example, in a $1/$2 no-limit hold'em game, Player A raises to $8 from early position, then Player B reraises all in with his last $20 from the cutoff seat. Player C then calls the reraise from the button, the blinds fold, and Player A calls as well. The main pot having been created, Players A and C will then bet into a side pot after the flop if they wish.