I used to do this. However the pots weren't actually empty, they contained my "A Game". If it ever came to a tight spot in a game, I'd flick the lid off my pot and my "A Game" would be released. It's basically microscopic spores, which were gathered in two places, the first being Chuck Norris's pockets, and at Ninja Festivals. So anyway, you would flick the lid, the game would be released, and you would breathe it in (dropping to your knees helped, as you would be closer to the cloud of spores), and you would then have the necessary skills/abilityies to bust out of whatever tight spot you are in, and finish the game in style. Kinda like when Popeye eats spinach.
So that's why people carry empty pots.