Verb

To make a wager that is sufficiently large so as to convince a given player or players to fold, especially when the wager is intended to reduce the number of players continuing rather than end the hand immediately.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This differs from stealing the pot, which would be making a wager large enough to get all of one's opponents to fold. Rather, the intent is to reduce the number of players in order to protect against being outdrawn.

EXAMPLE: "We were playing limit Hold'em. I was on the button with 9 players at the table. I had pocket Jacks. The player under the gun called, the next player folded, and the third player raised. Everyone else folded to me. I decided to reraise to try and freeze out the blinds and the player under the gun. I didn't think my Jacks would hold up against so many players, but figured if it was just me and the raiser I had a decent chance of taking down the pot."

APPLIES TO: Online and Land-based Venues

RELATED TERMS: Protect, Protection, Protection Bet