IÂ’m coming from a strictly limit holdem background and I am starting to get into no limit so I have a 2 part question. my apologies if this runs long and I appreciate the feedback.

1) so regarding the making change. IÂ’m Not sure exactly if thatÂ’s whatÂ’s happening but thatÂ’s what IÂ’m going to call it for now. I have seen no limit tables where the player will have cheques on the betting line and then pull them back and add cheques Of a different value across the betting line. What is going on there exactly? ItÂ’s almost like theyÂ’re making change for themselves but I didnÂ’t know you were allowed to pull money back from the betting line on your own like that.

2) creating side pots. IÂ’ll make this a super basic example.

Player A) bets 100
Player B) bets 100
Player C) bets 50 (all in)

So in this case player A&B Both would take 50 from their 100 to add to players C 50 correct?

So the main pot now has 150 and the side now has 100

And the showdown would start with the side pot ( player a and b) and the winner of the side pot now plays their hand against player C for the main. Hopefully I have that right.

Thanks again for the help.

1) If you pull your chips back from the betting line, that would indicate you are going to raise or otherwise put in additional chips. For example, if you post the big blind in a 1/3 game, someone raises $10, and you're gonna 3bet to $30, you can pull back your posted $3 and put in a green and red chip. But the money is already in the pot, you can't "take it back" or something.

Rules can also vary by room, but generally speaking this is fine.


2) The dealer is generally responsible for actually making the side pots, but the mechanics as described are correct.

Thanks man

It may not be technically legal, but I have never seen anyone have a problem with the scenario where you have posted a $3 big blind, get raised to $10 then pull back your three white chips and put out two red ones to call. This especially is true if you verbalize your intent while doing so. Even without a verbal, if you put out the reds then take back the whites, you probably will be ok.

1) When a Player has chips in front of them already via the blinds or previous action and then they pull them back they are committing themselves to at least a call and also have the option to raise. They must either verbalize their intent or put all of the chips forward in one motion. Once chips are pulled back folding is no longer an option unless they have verbalized the fold before pulling the chips back to help the Dealer make change for the pot.

1A) If action is complete a Player may try to assist the Dealer with 'change' in an effort to make the pot right. If a Player calls a bet of 55 with a 100 chip they can help the Dealer by adding a 5 chip to get two 25 chips back, and so forth.


2) Yes, the Dealer will 'make the pots right' and Showdown always starts with the side pots in reverse order of completion. LOTS of all-in Players want to make their claim to the Main Pot, but they should wait their turn. Many Dealers will instruct the Players as to when it's their turn to show .. which technically is a no-no in heads-up pots, but reduces the potential confusion when side pots are involved.

As a side note, Dealers have various methods of making change and making pots 'right' so it's a good practice to watch what they are doing in order to make sure the pots are correct. Don't be shy about asking for clarification .. and of course Dealers are people too so you might get some snarky looks (but too bad). GL