Equity denial
Also: denying equity
Betting to make a hand that still has a chance of winning fold, so that it never gets to realise that chance. Every fold you force from a hand with outs is equity you have taken for yourself, whether or not you had the best hand.
Equity denial explains bets that look pointless on the surface. Betting a middling pair on a wet flop rarely gets called by worse, but it charges every overcard and gutshot to continue, and folding them out wins the pot outright a fair share of the time. It is the main reason small bets are so common on dry boards and larger ones on draw-heavy ones.
The idea is also why 'I only bet when I can get called by worse' is an incomplete rule. Protection is a real source of value, just one that does not show up at showdown.
Related terms
Full glossaryFrequently asked questions
Is equity denial the same as a protection bet?
Closely related — a protection bet is the action, equity denial is the reason it makes money.