The Blocking Bet
In this article:
- What is a blocking bet?
- What is the purpose of a blocking bet?
- When should you use a blocking bet?
- Other thoughts on a blocking bet.
- What is a blocking bet?
- What is the purpose of a blocking bet?
- When should you use a blocking bet?
- Other thoughts on a blocking bet.
What is a blocking bet?
A blocking bet is a bet you make to prevent your opponents from making a larger bet. Basically, it's a small bet that you are willing to pay to see the next card. For example. On the turn, you connect on your cards and gain an open ended straight draw. You think you're opponent will most likely make a large bet and you don't want to call a large bet to see if you hit your draw, so you preemptively you make a smaller bet, in an amount you are willing to pay to see the next card so that you're opponent does not make a larger bet.
What is the purpose of a blocking bet?
As stated in the paragraph above, the main purpose of a blocking bet is to block your opponent from making a larger bet. The reason you want to do this is almost always because you want to see the next card. You do it to control the price of seeing the next card in the deck and make sure that you are still getting good pot odds on your draw.
When should you make a blocking bet?
Mainly, you'll want to make blocking bets when you are drawing to the nuts and don't want to pay a high price to see the next card. This is usually when you're drawing to a straight or a flush. You shouldn't usually be concerning yourself with a blocking bet if you don't have a good draw. There's no point in making a blocking bet so that you can just make a pair, since that will usually not be a good enough hand to win the pot. You'll also have to have an earlier position than your opponent so you can make the blocking bet before your opponent has a chance to bet.
Other thoughts on a blocking bet.
One thing to consider with a blocking bet is that most good poker players will see a straight or flush draw coming, and will make a large bet so that you're not getting good pot odds to make a call. In these circumstances, making a blocking bet can ensure that you're getting pot odds, and in some cases can also throw your opponent off. If they think you're drawing to a straight or flush, and you lead out with a small bet, they may reconsider what they think you have. If they're hand is not that strong to begin with, you may even get them to fold.
