Multi-way pots expand rapidly, sometimes even when caution prevails. That's the nature of these multi-headed beasts — they cannot easily be tamed.
But as the following hand illustrates all too well, you don't have to run headlong into the jaws when multiple players are vying for a pot postflop.
Preflop Mania, and Probabilities
The game was $0.50/$1 no-limit hold'em (100NL), played online, and the hand began with the under-the-gun player opening to 2.2 big blinds. The cutoff three-bet to $3.50, the button cold-called the reraise, and both blinds and the original raiser called as well.