Pot control
Deliberately keeping the pot small with a medium-strength hand — checking back, calling instead of raising — so that you are not forced to play a big pot with a hand that cannot stand a big bet.
Frequently asked questions
What is pot control in poker?
Deliberately keeping the pot small with a hand that is good but not strong — checking a street, calling rather than raising — so the money at stake stays in proportion to how confident you are.
When is pot control right?
With a medium-strength hand out of position, in way-ahead-way-behind spots, and against an opponent whose range is polarised enough that building the pot invites being raised off a hand you cannot fold.
How is it misused?
As a justification for never betting. Many hands that players call 'pot control' are simply missed value — if the hand beats most of the calling range, it should be betting. Pot control is a choice for a narrow set of hands, not a default setting.