Main Pot
The pot that all active players are eligible to win. When a player goes all-in for less than the current bet, a main pot and side pot are created.
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What Is Main Pot?
The main pot is capped at the amount matched by the shortest all-in stack, while any additional chips wagered by remaining players form one or more side pots that the all-in player cannot win. This system ensures every player can only win chips they contributed to, keeping all-in situations fair. Complex multi-way all-ins can create several side pots simultaneously.
Examples
When the short stack went all-in for 5,000, the main pot was capped there and the remaining bets formed a side pot.
Three players saw the river, but only two of them were eligible for the side pot since the third had gone all-in earlier.
Strategy Tips
Always track effective stack sizes in multi-way all-in situations, since your win potential is limited to what you're actually eligible for. When short-stacked, understand that you can only win the main pot even if you have the best hand against players who cover you. Dealers typically manage the pot splitting automatically, but it's worth double-checking the math in large multi-way pots. Being aware of side pot dynamics helps you decide whether to continue betting when an opponent is already all-in.