Competing against other players is one of the main reasons why online poker is so exciting. You need to be on top of your game to win, using strategy, hand-reading skills, and bluffs to outsmart your opponents.

For the best chance of success, you must prepare for all possible scenarios. This includes situations where multiple people are involved in the same pot. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to approach a multiway pot and the various strategies you can employ. 

What Are Multiway Pots?

In a heads-up pot, you only face a single opponent. This can be difficult enough, but things become even trickier as the number of players competing for the pot increases. 

Whenever more than two people are involved in a hand, it’s called a multiway pot. This means a bigger challenge, as there are additional variables to consider. Such complexities are what differentiate poker from other online casino games and make it so satisfying to play. 

These multiway scenarios can be risky since there’s a lower chance of you having the strongest hand. It also impacts hand ranges and pot odds. As such, you’ll need to alter your strategy accordingly. 

Playing Multiway Hands Like the Pros

Because you’re up against several players, you must approach these scenarios very differently from a heads-up pot. There are more ranges to consider, and you need to beat at least twice as many hands to take the money. 

Pros at online poker for real money usually take a conservative approach when faced with multiple opponents. They will typically behave as follows:

• Check often, both in and out of position.
• Fold more to raises.
• Bluff less frequently and always do so with some hand equity.
• Focus on value betting.

How To Plan Your Multiway Strategy

There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy to playing multiway hands. Many factors unique to your table will affect your course of action. Consider the following points when choosing how to play in multiway scenarios. 

Your Opponents

The type of players involved in your multiway pot greatly influences which strategy will be most effective. Reading and understanding your opponents is crucial when playing Texas Hold’em poker. Observe their actions closely and analyze their potential hand ranges. 

Newer and recreational poker players will often play too loosely in multiway situations. They’re more likely to call with weak hands just to see a flop. When playing in online poker tournaments, make thinner value bets against this type of opponent. 

On the other hand, experienced players are much tougher to deal with in multiway situations. They have a better understanding of which ranges to play, which means you should be wary when facing bets from them. Still, this knowledge and experience is exploitable. Bluff on boards that are good for your range, and a more astute player will have no choice but to fold.

Relative Position

Whether you’re playing at an online casino or there are real poker chips involved, position is always an important consideration. However, it’s especially critical when facing multiple opponents. Being in late position offers a significant edge. It gives you more information on the other players in the pot. Analyze their actions and use this to inform your strategy. 

If you’re out of position, you’re at a major disadvantage. You should exercise caution in this scenario. The best course of action when facing bets is usually to fold.

The Board

Multiway situations typically occur with complex board textures as there are a lot of potential draws. Straight and flush draws are common, so watch out for coordinated boards and how they might impact your chances.

Always evaluate the board to see how likely it is that an opponent has a strong hand. Consider how the community cards might connect to the ranges of other players and adjust your strategy accordingly. 

Pot Odds

A multiway pot is often much larger than a heads-up pot, with several players contributing chips. This makes calculating pot odds increasingly important. If you’re not familiar with this concept, make sure you brush up before going any further. But in short, it’s the ratio between the total number of chips in the pot and the price of a call.

Before you make any play, you have to justify the risk mathematically. Although it’s tempting to chase large pots, you’re not likely to win without a strong hand. But at least if you’re getting the correct odds, you’re making sound long-term plays.

Tips for Multiway Success

With so many variables affecting the game, there’s no easy solution to winning against multiple players. However, use the following tips to improve your chances.

Tighten Up Against Bets

It’s best to be cautious in a multiway scenario, especially when facing a bet. Instead of worrying about balancing your range, just keep it simple. Play fewer hands than you would if you were in a heads-up pot. This is especially true when an opponent shows aggression and other players are still to act behind. 

Be Careful When Bluffing

You only need to fool one player with your bluff when you’re in a heads-up pot. But in a multiway scenario, the chance of an opponent having a strong hand is much greater. Be more selective over which hands you choose to bluff with. 

Narrow Your Value Betting Range

As the number of players in a pot increases, your hand equity decreases. Unless you’re playing against inexperienced players, thin value bets aren’t likely to be profitable. Narrow your ranges to ensure you’re still making long-term winning plays. 

Dive Into Some Multiway Action

The complexities of poker are what make it so exciting to play. Multiway scenarios are especially tense and challenging. However, they’re also great opportunities to pick up some chips — as long as you play your cards right. Register at BetMGM armed with your newfound knowledge and crush some multiway hands today.