Complete Guide to All-in in Poker

You'll learn everything about the All-In, the most famous poker move! But what is All-In? What rules does it follow? In which situations should you go all-in? How do you calculate pot amounts? How to master the All-In strategy? We're here to explain!

What is All-In in Poker?

In poker, the concept of All-In, also known as "tapis" in French, means betting all your chips at once on a single hand, in No Limit poker games. Often used as a semi-bluff or bluff, this move is risky, as the player trying it can also be eliminated from the tournament or lose all their chips. However, if done correctly, at the right moment and with the right opponents, it allows you to test the limits of other players and win a big pot. It is possible to go All-In at any betting round, whether opening the bet, raising, or calling another player. For example, going All-In pre-flop or on the flop can discourage other players from calling to try to get the cards they need to win the hand.

The Rules of All-In in Poker

In poker, All-In allows each player who wishes to bet all their chips in one move. This bet is called "table stakes," which means that a player can only bet the chips they had at the start of that hand. In fact, it is prohibited to add money from your wallet on top of the chips present on the table.

When two or more players go All-In, each player must match their opponents' bets as much as they can. If two players go All-In and one has more chips than the other, the amount of the All-In will be that of the player with the fewest chips.

There are two rules for All-In situations in poker:

Full Bet Rule: generally applied in No Limit poker games, states that when the value of a player's All-In chips is less than the amount of the previous raise or the minimum bet, it is considered a "real" raise and the bet will not be reopened.
Half Bet Rule: states that if the amount of the All-In is greater than half of the minimum bet, it is considered a raise and the action will therefore be reopened.

When to Go All-In in Poker?

Playing with a Small Stack

With a small stack, a player can be seen as an easy target to eliminate by opponents who have many chips. However, it is still possible to circumvent this problem and turn the situation around by going All-In with a short stack at the right moment. The best way to go all-in with a small number of chips depends on that amount:

With a stack that is not enough to pay more than one round of blinds, you must go all-in, regardless of the hand and position.
From the big blind position, when you need to bet half of the stack, it is also preferable to go All-In.
With a small stack, but still allowing for several rounds of blinds, it is better to wait for a good playing position and a strong hand to go All-In.
With few chips, going all-in to steal the blinds can be very risky.

Playing with a Big Stack

If a player has a large stack at the table, the game is transformed: their opponents will be intimidated. To take advantage of this, it is highly recommended to pay attention to the table position before making a raise or going All-In.

In first position, it is better to have a truly strong hand to raise. Therefore, it is advisable to carefully choose which hands to play and which hands to raise, so as not to lose chips unnecessarily.

Factors to Consider Before Deciding on All-In

It is crucial to take different factors into account before deciding to execute an All-In:

Evaluate your position relative to your opponents' positions.
Compare the size of your stack to those of the other players.
Be objective about your image at the table.
Assess the board composition and determine the possible stronger hands.
Try to read the game of the other players.

Advantages and Risks of All-In

The All-In is a bold move that offers several advantages:

Quickly increases your stack in case of victory.
Possibility of winning the pot with a weak hand by bluffing.
Can destabilize other players and make them commit errors.
Intimidates certain players who prefer to fold.

The main risk is losing all your chips if one or more players have a stronger hand.

Calculating Pots and Payouts During an All-In

How to Calculate the Main Pot

When there are only two players remaining in the game, each player matches the smallest stack placed in the pot, thus forming the main pot.

Payouts and Side Pots

When three or more players go All-In, "side pots" are created. For example, if:

Player A: 10 chips;
Player B: 25 chips;
Player C: 50 chips.

The main pot consists of 30 chips (3 x 10 chips). After this, side pots are formed according to the bets of the remaining players.

Tips and Advice for Mastering All-In

Reading Opponents and Timing

Before attempting an All-In, it is crucial to decipher your opponents' gameplay:

Observe their playing style.
Watch their behavior before an All-In.
Define possible hands they might have.

Timing is also key, as certain situations are more suitable for an All-In.

Managing Your Stack and Bankroll

In poker tournaments, the number of chips is essential. Good management of your bankroll is critical to avoid losing chips unnecessarily.