What is a multi-pot?
A multiway pot is a hand where several players are involved post-flop. This occurs when you make a raise and receive multiple calls, or when you call a raise and find yourself in a pot against two or more opponents. Playing multiway pots is more complex than one-on-one hands. You're not facing a single range of hands but several at once. This means the odds of forming a winning combination decrease, and the likelihood of making a mistake increases. Errors in these situations are costly, so you must play hands against multiple opponents with caution.
Features of Playing in Multi-way Pots
Opponents are less likely to fold.
When several players are in the pot, the chances increase that someone will hit a hand. Consequently, your bets will less frequently win the pot.Bluffs become rare.
Opponents realise their bluffs are less effective, so they play much more honestly. If you see a bet in a multi-way pot, it is most often a genuinely strong hand.Weak top pairs and draws are played passively.
Players holding hands like second pair, a weak top pair, or a draw will more frequently check and call, avoiding raises. They usually show aggression only with strong hands.Many strong hands lose value.
Hands that seem strong in a heads-up situation become marginal in a multi-way pot. A top pair on a draw-heavy board with several opponents is far from a great hand. Lower straights and weak flushes often find themselves beaten.The nuts yield more money.
The more players in the hand, the higher the chance your strong hand will be paid off. The nuts in a multi-way pot are an opportunity to take down a large pot.
How to Play in Multi-way Pots?
Play based on hand strength.
There's less room for creativity in multi-way pots. Fold weak hands more often, don't call with weak draws, and don't try to outplay your opponents with cunning moves.Bet bigger with strong hands.
When you have the nuts or a near-nuts hand, don't hesitate to make large bets. In multi-way pots, you are more likely to find a hand willing to pay.Minimise bluffs.
Bluffing against multiple opponents is almost always unprofitable. An exception is when all opponents have checked two streets in a row. This is often a sign of weakness. In such hands, you can try to win the pot with a large river bet - 75%+ of the pot.
Conclusion
Multi-way pots require careful and honest play. Don't try to outwit and bluff your opponents. The more opponents there are, the simpler and 'honest' your strategy should be.
Play based on hand strength, bet only with strong hands, reduce bluffs, and fold to a bet any hands weaker than a top pair or strong draw.
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FAQ
What to do if I've made a weak top pair in a multi-pot?
Play with maximum caution. A top pair with a poor kicker in a multi-pot is no reason to inflate the pot. The optimal strategy: check, call one street against a small bet, and fold if someone starts betting heavily. In such hands, you often find yourself behind.
Can you bluff in a multi-pot?
Almost never. The more players involved in the hand, the lower the chance of pushing out all opponents. Bluffs work in rare situations when everyone has checked for two consecutive streets, and the board clearly hasn't benefited anyone.
When should you make large bets?
When you have the nuts or a very strong hand. In a multi-pot, there is often someone willing to pay off a strong hand, so don’t hesitate to bet bigger and earn more chips.