Block bets are poker tactics that have been there for a while. Over the years, players debate their effectiveness using their own intuition. However, now the breakers are there, we have definitive evidence that block bets are the right game in several situations. This article includes what it is block bet and when you have to do it.
What is block bet – Block bets are relatively small bets (20-40% of pots) made by players who come out of the position. The most common goal of block bets is to prevent opponents from making greater bets when examined. Some people call them blocked bets, by the way.
When should you block bets – When these 4 factors are played, you must consider block bets:
You are outside the position on the river – Your hands are likely (but not necessarily) better than your opponent’s hand (> 50% equity vs. their range). If you go for medium or big bets, you will be called too much better hands. If you check, your opponent can put you in a difficult place with medium or big bets. General situation to block bets
So, which place matches this kind of strategy? Let’s go some general.

1. Raiser Preflop has checked back twice.
Example: Up button and a large blind call with. Flop comes and both players check. The turn is and the two players check again. The river is. In this place, the big blind can consider block bets, hoping to be called by hand like ace-high, 2x or 5x.
2. C-preflop Raiser bets on the flop, then checked again in turn.
Example: the button up and blind calls with. Flop comes and blind checks – call bets. The turn is and both players check. The river is . In this place, big blindness can consider block bets, hoping to be called with hands like 5x and 2x.
3. You are checked above failure and barrel in turn, the river resets a lot (but not all) from your draw. Example: Up and Blind Calls with. Flop comes and high blind check-raise versus bets, called the button. The turn is T and a blind bet, which is again called by a button. The river is. Big blindness can consider block bets with a set *, hoping to be called with hands like JX and overpairs (where the button can fold bets). * It is very important that the big blind also blocks bets with some crazy hands (such as flushes) to protect the overall block betting range.
4. Your C-betting on failure out of position and bet again in turn.
Example: Cutoff rises with and the call button. C-betting cutoff is called Flop. Cutoff made back in round and call button. The river is. Cutoff can consider block bets in this place, hoping to be called by hand like 9x.
5. Your C-betting on the failure of the position and round action is checked.
Example: Cutoff raises and call button. Flop comes, where C-betting cutoff and the call button. The turn is and both players check. The river is. Cutoff can consider block bets in this place, hoping to be called by hand like J8 or 7x. Note that all of these places can apply to multi -way pots too.
Secondary benefits of block bets – There are additional benefits equipped with a well-implemented block betting strategy …
Block bets force your opponents to produce optimal responses, which are very difficult to do, especially if they have not learned how to play against block bets. This means that your opponents will usually fall in one of the following two categories vs block bets: over-bluffer or under-bluffer. If you can specify the camp where your opponent will fall, you can extract so much expected value (EV) by making a call of sick hero (vs over-bluffer) or large folds (vs under-bluffer).
A single lifted pot example – Let’s look at a very common example. Suppose you maintain your big blindness to the increase in the preflope of the button. You keep calling a 33% c-bet on a flop and round check. This board is. This is what is considered a solver to be an equilibrium strategy (GTO) for players in Big Blind: The lightest color (salmon?) Represents a 25% pot bet. Seeing from just a grid, we can see that the hand that is liked by breaking up the bet, especially:
- Second Couple (TX Hands)
- Pocket Nines and Pocket Eights
- Central couple (7x hand)
- Some top and better pairs *
* Includes some relatively strong hands in the range of block betting protecting the remaining range (related article: how to take advantage (and protect itself) the range is closed).
The hands are pretty good as the second / third partner is the heart of this range, and the hands have between 60 and 70% equity. In other words, it is likely that they are the best hand at the moment. But the same hand equity slumps when it oppose the range that will call medium-sized bets. For example, if you bet half pot or more, the possibility of the call range has more than 50% equity versus 7x hand. A little sophisticated note: 88, 99 and TX hands maintain more than 50% equity versus a range of calls, even when a larger size is used. However, separating 7x from a slightly stronger hand will allow the button to start increasing the value constantly against block bets, which will also allow it to win the pan more often with snapping.
Sample 3-bet pot – Another general example is when you bet it from a small blind to the button and he calls. Suppose you are a small c-bet on flop and summoned. Turn Go check-check and river appear. This is what is considered a solver to be a balance strategy for a small blind range: Some of the second pairs (like KJ) are block-bets, but there are also many top partners who choose this size. The top couple has more than 85% equity at this time. This is different from a single lifted pot example.
Why?
That’s because the range is much narrower in the 3-bet pot, which means that the effect of removal of blockers / cards is enlarged. When you have the top partner with ACE in this example, you block most of the range with him your opponent will call a 75% pot bet. When faced with a 75% pot betting in the above scenario, the button can fold half of the second partner and remain unable to be established, which makes a large bet with Ace enough marginal. But the ACE did not block that many of the range he could call the size of a 25% pot. KK and QQ have around 65% equity, but they certainly cannot appreciate medium-sized bets. Check with them and face 75% pot betting is also unwanted. However, bet a quarter pot, minimizing losses against the top pair while getting the value of all JX hands.
Wrap – Block bet is another tool in the Crusher tool box. Consider whether the block bet is right when you reach the river situation from the position to put your opponent in difficult places more often. That’s all for this article! I hope you enjoy it and that you learn something new! As usual, if you have questions or feedback, tell me in the comments section below. What should you read next? I suggest what is folded equity and why is it important? Until ‘next time, good luck, grinder!
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