Pot Limit Official Ruling Question

My home games are PL and we play hold'em and Omaha. The following ruling for this situation has plagued me for some time.

What's the official ruling on calculating the POT size when theres a main pot and a side pot as result of a player being 'all in'?

Let's say player 1 is all in and players 2 & 3 continue betting with a side pot. If the main pot = $20 and side pot = $5, which pot amount does players 2 & 3 use as their POT limit?

a. the side pot of $5 because that's the active pot.

b. the total amount of both pots [$25] because both players 2 & 3 have interest in both pots and therefore can use both pots in their calculation.

I say 'a' but an argument can be made for 'b' due to the interest in both pots. I have not played in a PL game at a casino nor online to experience this situation.

Thanks for the help.

It makes no sense to limit it to the side pot. The "active pot" as far as you and your opponent (who isn't all-in) is the entire pot that you are eligible for. If you win, you win the entire pot. That is the pot. That is the limit.

I don't play PL but if it is any other way the rulebook needs to be burned.

EDIT: In your example, the next player to act may bet up to $25.

[Robfish]

Got to be b. What if there was $200 in the main pot and $2 in the side pot. With option a. you could therefore only bet $2!

It is definitely b.

oops typo I meant I lean towards b. My home rules states both pots as well.

However, I had people discuss for both ways but I could never find the official ruling with an example or stating "both pots are used" or something to that affect. Since the pot by pure definition is all money invested, then maybe it doesn't need to be said.

Thanks for the input.

[Swedebubba]

I use to play PL on Party. Pot would be Main + Side.