Abstract: The invention relates to a freely activatable hydraulic valve control device for a stroke valve, which valve control device is arranged particularly in an internal-combustion engine. The stroke valve includes a valve stem and a first spring acting on the valve stem in the valve-closing direction as well as a second spring acting at least periodically on the valve stem in the valve-opening direction. The valve stem is connected at least to a control piston arranged in a working space and capable of being loaded on two sides with a working fluid. The pressure of the working fluid in the working space can be regulated via a pressure source together with a switching valve and a supply conduit.