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Controlling the Pot

Aside from position, controlling the pot size is probably the second most critical skill poker players need to be successful. We constantly hear the pros talk about controlling the pot size and not allowing the pot to get too big. We are going to talk about the circumstances that surround pot size and how to control them to your own benefit.

Pot Size

Pot size is exactly as it sounds. Pot size is the size of the pot relative to your own stack. A large pot to one player may not be the same for the player sitting beside them with a larger stack. It is relevant to the situation you happen to be in at that particular time. For cash game players controlling the pot size is extremely important to their bottom line and bankroll. Managing the size of the pot directly affects your profit margin and is why it is so important to do it effectively. Pot size also allows you to figure out your pot odds and whether you should or should not take a draw in many situations but not always.

Position and Pot Size

Position and pot size go hand in hand. That is not to say that you cannot control the pot size when you are out of position but it is much easier to do when in position. Position allows us leverage throughout the hand on every street. We are acting last in the hand and have the benefit of watching and understanding how our opponent feels about their hand. I can choose to flat call when I have a made hand and continue doing so if the flop hits me hard. I can also release the hand if I miss the flop complete with no draw. Let's take a look at why position is so important in controlling the size of the pot.

Example1:

You are in a large Multi-Table poker tournament and the break has just ended. You have chipped up to $7500 from your starting stack of$1500 and are the big stack at your table. The hand plays out as follows with the blinds at $200/$100:

Hero $7500 [3][3] on the button

Opponent $5000 [Q][Q] in early position

Your opponent leads out with a bet of $750

Our Hero decides to flat call with his pocket threes to see a flop. The flop comes down [7][J][2]

The flop is no help to either player in this situation. However, the pocket queens are ahead and will bet out accordingly with a bet of $400

Hero flat calls and the Turn is a [X]

Again the Turn is of no help to either player and your opponent makes it another $400 to go.

You are now getting almost 8 to 1 on your money should you hit the three on the river and will likely get the rest of his chips. You are already $1500 into this pot but still well above the average chip stack. You can make an argument to call this value bet or fold and look for a better spot.

Hero folds and gives up the pot.

Analysis: based on the way this hand played out our opponent was clearly value betting from the flop on. Conversely you were able to control the pot size by not raising and keeping it affordable for you to see the river and possibly hit your money card for the monster set of threes. Also, because your opponent was value betting he also gave you pot odds if you had decided to make the call after the turn.

This hand could have just as easily turned out the other way had a three hit on the turn. Now you can use your opponent's aggression against them to control and inflate the pot based on what you believe he would call you with.

Summary

As you can see controlling the pot size is extremely important and allows you to estimate and create value for your hands when you make them. Controlling the pot size also allows you to get away from losing hands for less had you not controlled the size of the pot. Learning how to control the size of the pot is a skill that can be learned and cultivated with a practice and an understanding of the game. It is time well spent.