Lesson 50 [Advanced] Adjusting Ranges in Multiway Pots

In multiway pots, hand strength is more important, and bluffing is less effective.

Basic Strategy

In multiway pots, play value hands predominantly, use large bet sizes, and reduce bluffing frequency.

Definition of Multiway Pots

• Situation where 3 or more players see the flop
• Unlike heads-up (1:1), you must contend with multiple ranges simultaneously

Basic Assumptions

• 100BB stack
• 6-max or 9-max cash game
• 3 or more players participate in the flop
• Opponents are average players

Key Principles of Multiway Pots

1. Prioritize Hand Strength

• Play strong hands, top pair or better
• Weak pairs and weak draws are less profitable
• Since there are multiple opponents, it's highly likely someone holds a strong hand

2. Reduce Bluffing Frequency

• Bluffs succeed only if all opponents fold (low probability)
• In heads-up, you only need one opponent to fold, but in multiway, you need two or more to fold
• Limit bluffs to strong draws (semi-bluffs) only

3. Increase Bet Size

• Protect value hands with large bets (2/3 pot to full pot)
• Since the pot is split among multiple players, you must maximize value
• You must make the draw odds unfavorable

4. Increased Value of Position

• Being out of position in a multiway pot is very disadvantageous
• It's difficult to predict the actions of multiple players
• You can only play marginal hands in position

Why is this Standard?

• In multiway pots, it's highly likely someone holds a strong hand or a draw. Bluffing with weak hands has a high chance of failure.
• Value hands can get action from multiple players, so you should increase bet sizes to maximize value.
• Since draws have a high chance of completing, made hands should use protection bets to make draw odds unfavorable.

Responses by Situation

1. Preflop: Tighten Your Range

If a multiway pot is likely, play predominantly premium hands and strong draw hands. Weak broadways (KTo, QJo) or small pairs (22-66) are less profitable in multiway pots, so consider folding them.

2. Flop: Continue with Strong Hands Only

Play predominantly top pair or better, and strong draws (flush draws, open-ended straight draws). Consider check-folding middle pairs and backdoor draws. Reduce continuation bet frequency and bet for value.

3. Bet Size: 2/3 Pot to Full Pot

Protect value hands with large bets (2/3 pot to full pot) and maximize value. Small bets are likely to be called by multiple players, providing favorable odds to draws. Use large bets to fold out draws or make them pay a high price.

4. Draws: Calculate Equity Carefully

In multiway pots, draws have high implied odds, but even if they complete, someone might hold a stronger hand. Play predominantly nut draws (nut flush draws, nut straight draws), and consider folding weak draws.

Thought Framework

Analyze multiway pots in this order:

1. How many players are left in the pot? 3? 4? 5? → The more players, the tighter you should play
2. What is my hand's absolute strength? Nuts? Strong hand? Medium? Weak?
3. What is the board texture? Dry? Wet? Draw possibilities? → The wetter, the more cautious you should be
4. What are opponents' ranges? Someone might hold a strong hand or a draw
5. Action selection: Value bet? Check? Fold? Minimize bluffs

Example Hand Analysis

Example 1: Multiway Value Bet (Large Size)

Game: Cash game 2/5, Stack 200BB
Position: BTN
Preflop: UTG raises $15, MP calls, Hero calls with Q♠ Q♦ on the BTN, SB calls (4 players)
Flop: Q♣ 8♥ 3♦ (Pot $62), SB checks, UTG checks, MP checks, Hero?

Thought Process:

1. "Who is structurally favored on this board?"
   → Hero has Q♠ Q♦ for top set. Currently a nuts-level hand. Since it's multiway, someone might have an overpair, draw, or weak pair.
2. "What role does my hand play within my range?"
   → Top set is a value hand. It needs protection in a multiway pot, and value must be maximized.
3. "Are there enough hands for opponents to fold / do they call often?"
   → Since it's a 4-player multiway pot, someone likely holds a pair like 88, A8, K8, or a draw. Use a large bet to protect against draws and extract value.

Conclusion: Bet $45 (approx. 2/3 pot)

Comment: In multiway pots, strong value hands should be protected with large bets to maximize value. Small bets risk multiple players calling, allowing draws to complete on the turn/river. A 2/3 pot bet provides unfavorable odds to draws and can extract value from weak pairs.

Example 2: Avoid Multiway Bluffs (Check-Fold)

Game: Cash game 2/5, Stack 200BB
Position: CO
Preflop: UTG raises $15, MP calls, Hero calls with A♦ 5♦ on the CO (3 players)
Flop: K♠ 9♣ 2♥ (Pot $47), UTG checks, MP checks

Thought Process:

1. "Who is structurally favored on this board?"
   → Hero has A♦ 5♦ for ace-high air. Since UTG and MP checked, they might not have Kx or a draw.
2. "What role does my hand play within my range?"
   → A♦ 5♦ is complete air. No backdoor flush draw either (rainbow board).
3. "Are there enough hands for opponents to fold / do they call often?"
   → Since it's multiway, for a bluff to succeed, both UTG and MP must fold. Someone might hold Kx, 99, 22, or a draw.

Conclusion: Check (avoid bluffing)

Comment: Bluffing with a complete air hand in a multiway pot is inefficient. It has a low probability of success since all opponents must fold. In heads-up, a positional bet might be considered, but in multiway, checking back for a free card is safer.

Example 3: Multiway Draw Play (Cautious)

Game: Cash game 2/5, Stack 200BB
Position: BB
Preflop: MP raises $15, CO calls, BTN calls, Hero calls with 9♠ 8♠ on the BB (4 players)
Flop: J♠ 7♠ 2♣ (Pot $62), Hero checks, MP bets $40, CO folds, BTN calls

Thought Process:

1. "Who is structurally favored on this board?"
   → Hero has 9♠ 8♠ for a flush draw + backdoor straight draw. Currently behind, but has high equity.
2. "What role does my hand play within my range?"
   → 9♠ 8♠ is a strong draw. If the flush completes, it's a nuts-level hand. It has call value even in a multiway pot.
3. "Are there enough hands for opponents to fold / do they call often?"
   → MP bets and BTN calls. Pot odds are (calling $40 into a $142 pot) approx. 28%. A flush draw has approx. 35% equity, so calling is possible. However, BTN is also still in, so implied odds should also be considered.

Conclusion: Call $40

Comment: In multiway pots, strong draws (flush draws, open-ended) have call value. Calculate pot odds and equity, and call if it's profitable. However, it's better to fold weak draws (gutshots, weak flush draws). Since it's multiway, you must consider the possibility that someone might hold a stronger hand even if your draw completes.

Example 4: Multiway Weak Hand Fold

Game: Cash game 2/5, Stack 200BB
Position: MP
Preflop: UTG limps, Hero holds 7♥ 7♣ on the MP, CO limps, BTN limps (4 players expected)
Situation: Hero considers raising or limping with 7♥ 7♣

Thought Process:

1. "Who is structurally favored on this board?"
   → No board as it's preflop. Since a multiway pot is expected, the profitability of a small pair (77) decreases.
2. "What role does my hand play within my range?"
   → 7♥ 7♣ is a small pair. It's fine in heads-up, but in multiway, overcards are likely to appear, and hitting a set is difficult.
3. "Are there enough hands for opponents to fold / do they call often?"
   → Since multiple players have already limped, a raise is still likely to result in a multiway pot. If overcards appear on the flop, it will be difficult to play.

Conclusion: Fold (or limp and only play for a set)

Comment: Small pairs are less profitable in multiway pots. The probability of hitting a set on the flop is low (approx. 12%), and it's difficult to play if overcards appear. Even if you raise, multiple players are likely to call, so it's better to fold or limp cheaply to only play for a set.

Key Patterns Summary

Pattern 1: Multiway = Prioritize hand strength, minimize bluffs

Pattern 2: Value hands = Protect with large bets (2/3 pot to full pot) + Maximize value

Pattern 3: Bluffs = Low efficiency as all opponents must fold

Pattern 4: Small pairs, weak broadways = Low profitability in multiway pots

Pattern 5: Draws = Play only strong draws (nut flush, open-ended)

Pattern 6: More players = Tighter range

Pattern 7: Out of position + Multiway = Very disadvantageous

Pattern 8: Reduce continuation bet frequency = Focus on value

Quiz

Question 1
What is the most important principle in a multiway pot?

• A) Increase bluffing frequency to play aggressively
• B) Prioritize hand strength, value-oriented play
• C) Control the pot with small bets
• D) Position is not important

Question 2
What is the appropriate bet size for value hands in a multiway pot?

• A) 1/4 pot to 1/3 pot (small bet)
• B) 1/2 pot (medium bet)
• C) 2/3 pot to full pot (large bet)
• D) Check (do not bet)

Question 3
Why is bluffing less efficient in multiway pots?

• A) Because there is only one opponent
• B) Because all opponents must fold for it to succeed, making the probability low
• C) Because the pot size is small
• D) Because position is disadvantageous

Question 4
In a 4-player multiway pot, you hold a small pair 66 on the BTN. The flop is K-9-3. What is the correct action?

• A) Bet (value)
• B) Check (prepare to fold)
• C) Bluff raise
• D) All-in

Question 5
Which hands have high playability in a multiway pot?

• A) Small pairs (22-66)
• B) Weak broadways (KTo, QJo)
• C) Premium pairs + strong draws
• D) All suited hands

Answers and Explanations

Question 1
Answer: B) Prioritize hand strength, value-oriented play

Explanation: In multiway pots, you face multiple ranges, so it's highly likely someone holds a strong hand. Hand strength is crucial, and bluffing is inefficient. Playing strong hands, top pair or better, is more profitable.

Question 2
Answer: C) 2/3 pot to full pot (large bet)

Explanation: In multiway pots, value hands should be protected with large bets to maximize value. Small bets risk multiple players calling, allowing draws to complete. A 2/3 pot to full pot bet provides unfavorable odds to draws and maximizes value.

Question 3
Answer: B) Because all opponents must fold for it to succeed, making the probability low

Explanation: In heads-up, a bluff succeeds if only one opponent folds, but in multiway, all opponents must fold. In a 3-player multiway pot, both opponents must fold, making the probability low. Someone is likely to hold a strong hand or a draw, which reduces bluff efficiency.

Question 4
Answer: B) Check (prepare to fold)

Explanation: In a 4-player multiway pot, 66 is a weak hand. On a K-9-3 board, two overcards have appeared, so someone is likely to hold Kx, 99, or a stronger hand. It's best to check and fold if a bet comes. Small pairs are less profitable in multiway pots.

Question 5
Answer: C) Premium pairs + strong draws

Explanation: In multiway pots, premium pairs (QQ+), strong broadways (AK, AQ), and strong draws (suited connectors, suited broadways) have high playability. Small pairs and weak broadways are less profitable in multiway pots, so consider folding them.