Pot committed is a poker term. It means you’ve already placed so many chips into the pot (the pool of bets) that folding no longer feels like a realistic option, even if your hand isn’t particularly strong.
At this point, backing out would mean giving up all the chips you’ve already risked, so many players choose to continue simply because they’ve come too far to fold.
You’ll most likely hear the term pot committed at a poker table, especially thrown out a lot by commentators during poker tournaments. It’s commonly used in games like no-limit Texas Hold’em and pot-limit Omaha, where players can bet large amounts and get deeply invested in a hand. The idea shows up in any poker game with a big betting pot.
For example, if there’s a large pot in the middle and you only have a few chips left, it’s common to be considered pot committed. At that stage, even a modest bet from your opponent might be worth calling, because you’ve already committed a significant portion of your stack.
From a strategy point of view, becoming pot committed means you’ve reached a point where folding could be a poor decision. The amount already in the pot makes continuing the hand more mathematically sound, especially if the odds are in your favour.
However, skilled players aim to avoid reaching this point with weak hands. While it’s tempting to justify a call by saying you’re pot committed, this can sometimes lead to unnecessary losses. The key is to recognise whether continuing gives you a reasonable chance of winning.
If your hand is strong, being pot committed can work to your advantage, or even be part of your plan. But if your hand is questionable, it’s often better to step back before reaching the point of no return. Knowing when to commit and when to let go is part of solid poker decision-making.
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