This time, I would like to summarize the points and precautions to take when playing multiway.
◆Multi-way◆
Multi-way is likely to have a lot of loose and passive players, so you will encounter it a lot in live games.
In multi-way, you will compete with many opponents for the pot, so it will be difficult to win the pot, and the pot will tend to become large, so careful decisions will be required.
Let’s take a look at the points to be careful of in multi-way.
◆Multi-way points◆
● Calling a bet
If you are bet in a multi-way pot, you must call less frequently than in a heads-up pot.
The more players there are, the more likely other players have strong hands, and the smaller the fold equity.
Therefore, you will generally bluff less frequently than in a heads-up pot, and your betting range will be stronger, so you will need to keep your calling range tighter.
Furthermore, if you are out of position post-flop, the information other players have will be limited, so it is important to keep your calling range tight and avoid risk.
●Value bet range
In a multi-way pot, you need to narrow your value bet range.
The more players there are, the less equity your hand has, so avoid playing for thin value.
For example, 
if you have and the flop is, you need to CB to protect yourself from overcards after the turn and to get value from a hand weaker than yours, but if 
you have and the flop 
is , your only scare card is basically an A, and it’s difficult to get value from a second pair in three streets, so you check the flop and hide the strength of your hand while controlling the pot. It
feels similar to a delayed CB in a heads-up pot with a weak top pair or second pair.
If you have and the flop is , 
there are few scare cards after the turn and you don’t need much hand protection.
By checking the flop, you can aim for value from pairs of Q and K that you hit after the turn.
And since it is difficult to aim for value on all three streets with a weak kicker A, it is preferable to check the flop, especially on a dry board like this.
◆CB with multi-way pot◆
The basic idea of CB in a multi-way pot is to increase the ratio of value and reduce bluffing.
When making a value bet, you need a stronger hand than when making a HU, and a hand of top pair good kicker or better is the basis.
Let’s look at the cases when and when not to CB.
●CB situations
raises with , BTN and SB call, making it a 3-way flop.
In this case, the flop is a strong hand with top pair and good kicker, so you can CB for value, even though it is a multi-way flop.
You can aim for value with weak A or T hits, flush draws, etc.
raises with , CO and BB call, making it a 3-way flop, and the flop
hits a bottom set.
In this case, of course you should CB for value.
Since you can see the range of the top pair that you are not blocking, as well as flush draws and straight draws, you should CB a little larger to inflate the pot.
raises with , MP, BTN, and BB call, making it a 4-way flop, and the flop 
is now a 2-over-the-nuts flush draw.
It’s a 4-way pot, but this hand is strong enough to be CBed.
CBs in 4-way pots look pretty strong, so pocket pairs that didn’t make a set will likely fold, and you can put a lot of pressure on middle hits and weak Js.
Even if CB is called, A and K outs may still be alive in the calling range, and AK high is the favorite against the draw.
● Situations where you don’t play CB
raises, SB and BB call, making it a 3-way flop
. Strong Broadway hands usually make mistakes on middle to low boards like this.
Here you have 2 overcards and a backdoor, but it’s not a great board if there’s any action against the CB.
Since you have position here, you can usually get a free card by checking. If
you get a pair or backdoor equity with a free card, it will be easier to play, so don’t force a CB here and decide your play based on the cards and actions after the turn.
HJ calls MP’s raise, BTN 
3-bet, MP and HJ call, making it a 3-way flop 
. It’s not uncommon for an A to come out like this when you have KK. Would
CB be a value bet here?
You might be able to get value from QQ, JJ, QJs, etc., but it looks like it’s going to be thin value.
Even if the A is out, KK has showdown value, so check here to control the pot and wait for the turn card and action.
●CB size
Basically, a small CB size is appropriate in a multi-way pot.
The reason is that in a multi-way pot, you have to be wary not only of the player who CBed, but also of other active players, so your calling range becomes narrower and even a small CB size puts you under pressure.
Another important thing is to be aware of the SPR.
In a multi-way pot, the pot is already large at the time of the flop, so be careful not to end up committing without realizing it.
