03-22-05, LearnTexasHoldem:

Multiple Side Pots

Question: This involves the infamous (and always confusing) 'side pot' dilemma. I held my first home game last weekend, and my worst fear was realized : four people in, two of them all-in, which meant 1 main pot, and two side pots. A good deal of arguing ensued, and I'm not sure we handled it correctly. Your answer to a previously posted question ("6/25/04 - Who Wins The Side Pot Money") helped some, but I'm still confused. Let's say, prior to fifth street:

Top 3 Beginner Rooms

Player 1: $50 - all in

Player 2: call $50

Player 3: raise $50

Player 4: call ($50 + $50)

Player 2: call ($50)

So - main pot = $200, side pot (1) = $150

River is dealt:

 

Player 2: bet $50

Player 3: call $50 - all in

 

Player 4: raise $50

Player 2: call ($50) - all in

So - I'm assuming : main pot = $200, side pot (1) = $300, side pot (2) = $100

If I'm right so far (pot wise), am I correct to say that the following players are entitled to the following pots:

main = all players

side pot (1) = players 2, 3 and 4

side pot (2) = players 2 and 4

And finally (but most confusing): how is the winner of each pot decided? All four players are in the showdown (and I know if you muck at any point, you're out of any winnings), but in which order is each pot decided? Is it as simple as 'working backwards' : having player 2 and 4 compare cards, then the best of the two take side pot (2) (regardless of player 1 or 3's hands)? Then let players 2, 3 and 4 compare, again high hand taking side pot (1), then on to the main pot, in which all four players decide the best hand / winner of the main pot? Why does this seem so confusing!.

Thanks

Tim

Answer: Yes, those side pots amounts look correct to me.

When you decide who wins each pot, it doesn't really matter which order you start (main to side pots or side pots to main). What the dealer does is to request to see the cards for the main pot, then pushes those chips to the player. Next, you look at the first side pot and players 2,3 and 4 show their cards; the pot gets pushed again to the winner. Lastly, you look at player 2 and 4's cards and that pot is awarded. You got it right, it just seems confusing at first. That's the beauty of having a capable dealer handling everything because you can just sit back and relax and not worry about any chips except your own.

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