The expressions to "bet pot", "bet half-pot", "raise pot" and several other variants are just short forms of indicating a bet or call equivalent to half the pot, or to the full pot. That is, "bet pot" simply means the player is making a bet equal to the amount of money already in the pot. Half-pot refers to a bet half the size of the pot.

The half and full pot bets are of particular significance in no-limits where the minimum bet size is often very small compared to the pot. In such cases a minimum bet is seen as insignificant since it offers very high pot odds to call. Half-pot and pot sized bets present rather restricted odds to a player who wishes to call.