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Poker All-In Rules and Side Pot Rules

Updated 30 October 2026 · 4 min read

Going all in means betting every chip you have. When players have different stack sizes, the pot is split into a main pot and one or more side pots. Here is how it works and how the winners are decided.

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Poker all-in rules

You can go all in at any time you are allowed to act, with whatever stack you have.
If you are all in for less than the full bet, you can only win as much from each opponent as you matched.
Once you are all in, you cannot be forced to fold; your hand plays to the showdown.
The other players continue betting for a side pot.

How a side pot works: an example

Three players: Anil has 100 chips, Hugo has 300 and Sana has 300. All three go in on the flop.

Pot	Who contributes	Who can win it
Main pot: 300	100 from each of the 3 players	Anil, Hugo and Sana
Side pot: 400	200 more from Hugo and Sana	Hugo and Sana only

If Anil has the best hand, he wins only the main pot. Hugo and Sana then compare hands for the side pot. A side pot is created each time a player is all in for less than the others.

Minimum raise and betting rules

A raise must usually be at least as big as the previous bet or raise in the same round. In no limit games, an all-in for less than a full raise does not reopen the betting for players who have already acted. Online poker tables apply these poker betting rules automatically, so you never have to count side pots yourself.

Splitting pots and odd chips

If two players tie, the pot is split. If it does not divide equally, the odd chip usually goes to the first player left of the button. See tie breaker rules.

Frequently asked questions

What happens when a player goes all in?

The player keeps playing for the part of the pot they matched. Other players can continue betting into a side pot.

Can I win a side pot if I am all in?

No. Only players who contributed to a side pot can win it.