betting with draws into small (<5BB) pots?

[graarrg]

I have a habit of betting draws into small pots (especially heads up and three way). Nut draws and other big ones (like well concealed ones) I tend to check.

For the tiny pots I've noticed that there is often little opposition from certain villains so I bet a lot of holdings, so betting draws fits into a larger strategy that disguises my big hands in case the pots do get big. Still, am I losing too much potential value by knocking my opponents out early in a &lt;5BB pot?

[FishSticks]

No it's fine. You win a lot of small pots with the worst hand, and sometimes you hit (best with a sneaky straight draw obv) and win a big pot, sometimes you can 3-barrel effectively - since the pot started so small folks will call the flop and turn with lots of holdings they won't call a big river bet with.

It all depends on the opponent(s) you're playing obviously, and how loose/tight they are, and if they are tricky/aggro - but, yah, I do this all the time.

[tubasteve]

its almost always better to take down the pot with you are semibluffing