All-in / Side pots?

[tsorf33]

Okay, I really don't understand how to work side pots when more than two people go all in (no-limit). Let's say that three people go all-in after the pocket cards are dealt. Player 1 has $300, 2 has $1000, 3 has $1500. Obviously, player 1 cannot bet anymore on the flop, turn, and river, but from what I understand, players 2 and 3 can start a sidepot. Now, I'm guessing that you separate this 'sidepot' from the 'regular pot'. So if a side pot is started, I guess players 2 and 3 need to push $300 each into the 'regular pot'... right? Then the side pot is started. So, I guess since only player 1's all-in was called, no one shows their cards and play continues. So, what happens if the side pot is started and then player 3 decides NOT to call a bet in the side pot. Is player 3 STILL in on the 'regular pot'? I guess player 2 just claims the side pot? Any help on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

jason

[wEbMaStEr]

No.
to use your example
a has 300
b has 1000
c has 1500
if a is all in and b and c both call there is 900 in main pot and b has 700 left and c has 1200 left
a may only win the money in main pot
if b bets 300 and c calls side pot is created.
if b bets and c doesn't call (or vice versa) then they fold their hand plain and simple and no longer have any claim on main pot.

[Dave B]

Correct, if a player folds they are out of all pots. In your example, you say that all players are all in. So, there is actually 3 pots.

Main pot, 900
1st side, 1400
2nd ide, 500 (for player C)

[tsorf33]

Isn't that kind of... not fair (to use a bad phrase)? I mean, player 1 only had to put in $300, which was called by players 2 and 3. So, if player 2 or 3 starts a side pot... but if one of them drops out, then they have NO claim on the main pot??? That's fine... it just doesn't sound very fair to the player that called the all-in, but dropped out of the side pot.

Thanks,

jason

[wEbMaStEr]

It's something to bear in mind when you're thinking of calling an all in, If it's preflop and you have a very strong hand preflop, it's a good idea to re-raise to tell other players stay away, or you can take your chances and flatcall, it's always possible someone behind you will re-raise, at this point you must make a decision to stay in or not.
Post flop (in tournament play anyways) it is often a good idea for players b & c to "check it down" to the river unless 1 of them has an exceedingly strong hand. this has the benifit of having two hands against 1, which gives more chances of knocking a player ou and thus benifits both players b & c.
This being the case often if player b bets player c will fold knowing that either, he is beaten, or he gets a good reason to berate player b after the showdown.