Table Stakes

[hutz]

Good point about the side pots. During a hand, it's important to remember when there's an all-in player because you still have to beat his hand at showdown. So, if you're holding a mediocre hand, don't lose track of the fact you have two opponents, not just one, which reduces the value of your middling hand. On a related note, beginners (and vets, too) should always remain aware of the fact that there is a side pot if they're not the all-in player. This can come into play in many respects, including the fact that you should hold onto your cards at showdown because the all-in guy may have the nut flush, but your TPTK might take down the side pot. If you muck too quickly after seeing the all-in player's cards you could lose the side pot. Of course, a good dealer will award the side pot(s) before the main pot to help avoid that situation. We all know, though, that not all dealers are good dealers.