Pot control is a term that gets used a lot and is an important tool to add to your arsenal.
The best players in poker know when to hold back, when to let their opponents take the lead, and when to subtly influence the flow of chips. This is where the art of pot control comes into play.
What is Pot Control?
Pot control is a strategy that involves keeping the size of the pot small, especially when you have a hand that isn’t the strongest but still has potential. It’s about making calculated decisions to avoid losing too much money with weak hands, while also setting yourself up for potential wins later on.
Why is Pot Control Important?
Here are a few key reasons why pot control is such a valuable tool in your poker arsenal:
1. Protecting Your Vulnerable Hands:
Imagine you’re holding middle pair on a wet board with multiple draws possible. Betting aggressively might make you vulnerable to a check-raise, forcing you to fold and forfeit equity. Pot control allows you to see the river cheaply and potentially catch bluffs or improve your hand.
2. Building the Pot with Strong Hands:
Pot control doesn’t mean always playing passively. When you have a strong hand, you can use pot control to deceptively lure your opponents into the pot and then make a big raise later on, maximizing your profits.
3. Gathering Information:
By checking or betting small, you can observe how your opponents react and gain valuable information about their hand strength. This can help you make better decisions in later betting rounds.
When to Use Pot Control:
Marginal Hands: When you have a hand like middle pair or a weak draw, pot control can help you avoid losing too much money.
Uncertainty About Opponent’s Strength: If you’re unsure whether your opponent has a better hand, pot control can help you gather information without risking a large bet.
If you want to learn about narrowing other player’s hand strength, check out this article: How to put your opponent on a range of hands.
Dry Boards: When the flop is unlikely to have connected with your opponent’s hand, pot control can be used to induce bluffs or protect your vulnerable hand.
Executing Pot Control:
Common pot control techniques include:
Checking Back in Position: Instead of betting, you can check and see what your opponent does, allowing you to control the action.
Calling Instead of Raising: If your opponent bets, you can call to keep the pot small and see more cards.
Betting Small: When you do bet, keep the bet size small to discourage large raises from your opponents.
