13 Dec 2024 Intermediate This material is for medium-skilled players bet sizing river A blocking bet, or "block bet," is made when you are out of position and want to cheaply see a showdown or the river card. When used effectively, this strategy prevents your opponent from making a larger bet, which you may not be able to profitably call. However, if used incorrectly or in the wrong situations, a blocking bet can simply waste money. This article will show you how and when to use blocking bets effectively. What Is a Blocking Bet? A blocking bet is a small bet you make when out of position (OOP) to pot control and minimize the cost of seeing the next card or reaching showdown. By placing a blocking bet, you aim to discourage your opponent from raising. As a result, you avoid facing a larger, which they might have made if you had checked. We’ll start by explaining the basics of blocking bets and why they only work when you’re OOP. Then, we’ll explore two different scenarios for using blocking bets: When you have a draw hand When you have a made but vulnerable hand on the river Finally, we’ll discuss a common mistake players make when using block bets. The best way to understand a blocking bet is to consider its goal: The main goal of a blocking bet is to see the next card (or reach showdown) as cheaply as possible when you expect your opponent to bet if you check. The last part is crucial. If your opponent is likely to check back after you check, then making a block bet only inflates the pot unnecessarily. Blocking Bet Example Imagine this hand: a player limps from UTG, and another isolates on the BTN. You’re in BB with and decide to call. The limper folds. Flop: . You check, and the BTN bets 1/2 of the pot. You call, as the effective stacks are deep enough to give you good implied odds for hitting your flush. Turn: . If you check again, you expect your opponent to make a large bet, which won’t give you the correct pot odds to call with your flush draw. Instead, you make a small bet of around 1/3 of the pot. This move prevents your opponent from betting too much. If they call with a likely top pair, you get to see the river card at a relatively low cost. Benefits of a Blocking Bet There are two main advantages to using a blocking bet: Increased Value When Your Draw Hits: If you miss your draw on the river, a check/fold is often the best play against most opponents. If your flush hits on the river, your opponent is likely to pay you off with hands like top pair or better. A block bet not only prevents your opponent from making a large bet but also disguises your hand. Only Necessary When Out of Position If the positions are reversed (you’re on BTN and your opponent is OOP), there’s no need for a blocking bet. If your opponent checks to you on the turn, you can check back to see a free card and try to hit your flush. Blocking Bet on the River Blocking bets can also be useful when all the community cards are dealt. On the river, a blocking bet works well against opponents who like to bluff. If you have a marginal hand, like top pair with a weak kicker, a blocking bet can allow you to reach showdown cheaply. The benefits: To discourage your opponent from bluffing with a large bet If they raise strongly, you can fold and lose only the amount of the block bet Using a blocking bet on the river depends on your read of the opponent. If they’re capable of making large river bluffs, a block bet can be an effective way to counter them. Conclusion Blocking bets are used when you’re out of position against an opponent who’s likely to bet if you check. They’re most effective with hands that don’t want to call a large bet, such as draws or marginal made hands on the river. Small bets often confuse opponents, encouraging them to just call and allowing you to see the next card or showdown at a reasonable cost. However, make sure to mix in value bets with your blocking bets. If your opponent figures out your strategy, your block bets will lose their effectiveness.
