A method for controlling the wheel brake pressures in wheel brake cylinders in a hydraulic vehicle braking system proposes to connect the wheel brake cylinders via wheel valves to a piston pump, the pistons of which are double-action pistons, and the two piston sides are connectable by means of pump valves. In order to increase the wheel brake pressure, the wheel valves are opened during a delivery stroke of the piston pump and the pump valves are closed, and the wheel valves are closed and the pump valves opened during a suction stroke. In order to reduce the wheel brake pressures, the valves are controlled in reverse.