Pot (poker)

In poker, the pot refers to the accumulated sum of all bets made by players during a hand. The pot is the prize that the winner of the hand is entitled to collect. The size of the pot is a crucial factor in making strategic decisions, such as whether to call a bet, raise, or fold.

The pot grows as players place bets, and it may include blinds, antes (if applicable), and subsequent wagers made throughout the various betting rounds (pre-flop, flop, turn, river).

Several different scenarios can affect how the pot is awarded:

• Single Winner: If only one player remains in the hand after all betting rounds are complete, or if all other players fold to a bet, that player wins the entire pot.
• Showdown: If multiple players remain at the end of the final betting round (river), they reveal their hands in a showdown. The player with the best hand, according to the specific poker variant's hand rankings, wins the pot.
• Split Pot: In some situations, the pot may be split between multiple players. This can occur in high-low split games (e.g., Omaha Hi-Lo) where the pot is divided between the best high hand and the best low hand. It can also occur if multiple players have hands of equal value.
• Side Pot: If a player is all-in (has wagered all of their chips) and other players continue to bet, a side pot is created. This side pot consists of the bets made by the remaining players after the all-in player's chips are exhausted. The all-in player is only eligible to win the main pot, while the side pot is contested by the other players.