Understanding pot distribution and side pots
Content by Tools of Poker Methodology and calculation assumptions
What does this calculation help you do?
When players put forward different amounts, one winning hand may not take the whole pool. This exercise teaches you to separate matched layers, identify which hands can win each pot and account for every chip when betting has ended. The cards determine winners; contribution depth determines eligibility.
One round shows three live hands and a complete river board. The amounts below the cards are total contributions to this hand before any unmatched excess returns. Blinds are already included; do not add them again. There is no extra initial pot, rake or further betting.
1. Build the pots from the smallest contribution upward
Hero put forward 20 BB, Player 2 put forward 50 BB and Player 3 put forward 100 BB. Start with the lowest level: all three contributed at least 20 BB. Those first 20 BB from each player form a 60 BB main pot.
20 × 3 = 60 BB
Above 20 BB, only the two deeper players remain. Both matched another 30 BB, reaching the middle level of 50 BB. Those two extra contributions form a 60 BB side pot. Hero has no claim to it, even with the strongest hand.
(50 − 20) × 2 = 60 BB
Above 50 BB, only Player 3 has chips in that layer. The extra 50 BB were not matched and return to Player 3. They do not form a second side pot.
100 − 50 = 50 BB
| Contribution layer (BB) | Contributors | Calculation | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 → 20 | 3 | 20 × 3 = 60 BB | Main pot |
| 20 → 50 | 2 | 30 × 2 = 60 BB | Side pot |
| 50 → 100 | 1 | 50 × 1 = 50 BB | Uncalled return |
The 170 BB put forward are accounted for as 60 BB in the main pot, 60 BB in the side pot and a 50 BB return. Adding the full 50 BB contributions again for the side pot would count their first 20 BB twice.
2. Compare the eligible hands for each pot
Use the board 2c 7d 9h Js Qc. Hero has Th 8h, Player 2 has Ah Ad and Player 3 has Kh Kd. Hero makes a queen-high straight; Player 2 has a pair of aces and Player 3 a pair of kings.
All three hands contest the main pot, so Hero receives its 60 BB. Only Players 2 and 3 contest the side pot: the aces beat the kings, giving Player 2 its 60 BB. Player 3 loses both comparisons but still receives the 50 BB uncalled return.
Each pot has its own eligible winners
| Pot | Amount | Eligible players | Winning hands | Share per winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main pot | 60 BB | Hero · Player 2 · Player 3 | Hero | 60 BB |
| Side pot | 60 BB | Player 2 · Player 3 | Player 2 | 60 BB |
Reconcile every chip
| Player | Put forward | Pot awards | Uncalled return | Total received |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hero | 20 BB | 60 BB | 0 BB | 60 BB |
| Player 2 | 50 BB | 60 BB | 0 BB | 60 BB |
| Player 3 | 100 BB | 0 BB | 50 BB | 50 BB |
- Hero
- Straight from 8 to Q
- Player 2
- One Pair of A
- Player 3
- One Pair of K
The sum received by all players equals the sum put forward. A refund remains separate from pot awards.
Identify a winner separately for each pot. Start with the eligible players, compare their best five-card hands and divide that pot only between hands tied for the best result. Then repeat for the next pot.
3. Divide ties inside the affected pot
Keep the 20, 50 and 100 BB contributions, but use the board As 7c 6d 3h 2s. Hero holds Ah Kd, Player 2 holds Ad Kc and Player 3 holds Qh Qd. Hero and Player 2 tie with a pair of aces and the same kickers. The queens lose.
Hero and Player 2 each receive 30 BB from the 60 BB main pot. Hero is not eligible for the side pot, where Player 2 beats Player 3 and receives all 60 BB. Player 3 keeps the 50 BB return. The final receipts are 30, 90 and 50 BB.
Player 2: 60 ÷ 2 + 60 + 0 = 90 BB
Player 3: 0 + 0 + 50 = 50 BB
30 + 90 + 50 = 170 BB
A tie does not mean dividing every chip equally among all players. The split applies only to the pot and eligible winning hands concerned. Even if the board makes everyone tie, deeper players still share a separate side pot and any uncalled excess remains a return.
4. Recognize a zero return
If the contributions are 20, 50 and 50 BB, every chip is matched. The main pot is still 60 BB and the side pot is still 60 BB. The return is 50 minus 50: zero. With the first example’s hands, Hero receives 60 BB, Player 2 receives 60 BB and Player 3 receives zero.
20 + 50 + 50 = 60 + 60 + 0 = 120 BB
Zero is a valid answer for a return or a player’s receipt. With four or more players there may be more side pots: continue upward one matched layer at a time. This introductory exercise always uses three players and one side pot.
How to practise this exercise
Every difficulty asks six questions on the same hand: main pot, side pot, uncalled return, Hero’s total, Player 2’s total and Player 3’s total. All cards are exposed; use the best-hand rules already practised in Level 0.1. Hero can have any contribution depth.
Beginner/easy show full formulas with real numeric substitutions; intermediate keeps symbolic hints; difficult/nightmare remove them. Results explain the pots, winners, shares and final receipts.
Timers cover all six questions: 480, 420, 300, 240 and 180 seconds from beginner to nightmare. Beginner/easy offer three choices per question; the other difficulties offer four. Shares are exact, including ties. The native form also works without JavaScript.