Multi-Way Pots

We stated at the start of the chapter that the Fundamental Theorem of Poker applies to all two-way pots and to nearly all multi-way pots. The reason we qualify multi-way pots is that there are certain situations with two or more opponents when you actually want one or more of them to play as they would if they knew what you had. Let's say that with cards still to come, you have a 30 percent chance of winning a pot. Opponent A has a 50 percent chance, and Opponent В has a 20 percent chance. If you bet, you might not mind Opponent A's raising with the best hand to force Opponent В out. A's chances of winning may now increase to 60 percent, but yours increase to 40 percent. You have both profited at the expense of С You might, for example, bet a pair of aces. Opponent A has two pair, and Opponent В has a straight draw. You'd like Opponent A to know you have only aces, not aces up, so that he will raise and drive the straight draw out. You would be getting good enough odds to call the raise and at the same time wouldn't have to worry about Opponent B's drawing a straight.