This guide offers clear and practical advice on what might happen when a player goes ‘all in’ during a game of No-Limit Texas Hold’em.
Whether you’re completely new to the game or just need a quick refresher, you’ll find easy-to-understand explanations that cover the basics of the all-in move and how it may affect the rest of the hand.
You’ll also learn when it might make sense to push all your chips into the pot, and what you might expect once you do. Let’s take a closer look at what going all in really means—and how it can shape the outcome of a hand.
All In: What Does It Mean For Your Hand?
In No-Limit Texas Hold’em, going ‘all in’ means you put all your remaining chips into the pot. Once you're all in, you can't make any more bets for that hand—even if other players continue betting.
If someone calls your all-in, you’ll go to a showdown if no one folds. If your hand wins, you’ll receive the chips from the main pot—the part of the pot you matched. Any further bets between other players create a separate side pot, which you're not part of and can’t win.
For example, if you go all in with £20 and another player has £50, only £20 from them goes into the main pot. The extra £30 forms a side pot between the remaining players.
Once you're all in, the outcome depends entirely on the cards. Knowing when to make this move is an important part of playing smart poker.
The Rules For Going All In At Poker
While the idea of going all in is simple, it’s important to know how this move fits within the wider rules of the game—especially if you're switching between different formats or platforms.
In both online and land-based poker, you can only bet the chips you have in front of you when the hand begins. You can't add more mid-hand, and you’re never forced out of a pot just because another player has more chips than you.
However, rules can vary slightly between poker rooms, especially in tournaments. For example, how all-in situations are handled during timed levels, rebuys, or when multiple players are all in at once, may differ.
Before joining a new table, take a moment to read the house or tournament rules. Doing this may prevent confusion and help you make potentially better decisions.
Outcomes When You Or Others Go All In
Going all in creates a shift in how the rest of the hand plays out. If multiple players move all in, side pots come into play, as highlighted earlier. Players involved in these side pots are eligible to win only those chips they've matched.
If everyone else folds after your all in, you win whatever is in the pot right away. When more than one player calls, all remaining hands are revealed at showdown. The player with the best five-card hand for each pot—main or side—takes that pot. This process ensures every chip is settled before dealing the next hand.
When Is It Best To Put All Your Chips In?
Deciding when to go all in is always a personal decision. Your choice often involves your cards, the number of chips you have, your seat at the table, and how opponents are playing.
Some players might risk it all before the flop with a strong starting hand; others may use an all in to try and test their opponents' resolve or make a strategic bluff.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Each game brings its own potential challenges and opportunities, and what suits one player may not fit another.
The main thing is to think about what you’ve learned from past hands, along with how confident you feel, before deciding to push all your chips forward.
Tips For Dealing With Aggressive All In Plays
If you face repeated or large all in bets, staying calm and making a careful decision becomes even more important.
Here are a few ways to try and stay on track:
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Take a moment to consider your hand and table position before making your next move.
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Think back to how often players are making these big bets—some might do it frequently while others may be more selective.
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Compare your stack with the size of the pot and the size of the bet.
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If it doesn’t feel right, remember you can always fold and wait for a potentially better hand.
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Set set clear personal limits to keep your play enjoyable and safe.
Sticking to these basics can help you respond confidently and responsibly to pressure at the table.
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