Yes, you should poke potatoes with a fork before baking.

Why it matters:

• As the potato cooks, water inside turns to steam
• Steam builds pressure under the skin
• Small holes let that steam escape safely
• This helps prevent the potato from splitting or bursting in the oven

How to do it:

• Use a fork to poke about 4 to 8 holes around the potato
• Pierce just through the skin, not too deep

Extra tips:

• Rubbing the skin with oil and salt helps it get crispy
• Do not skip poking if using a microwave, since pressure builds faster