Whats a blocking bet?

Whitey · #1 08-09-2005, 01:23 PM

I understand a blocking bet on the flop or the turn but why would you make a blocking bet on the river?
What circumstances are needed??

West · #2 08-09-2005, 01:42 PM

the main reason to make a blocking bet on the river would be if you believe that checking might show enough weakness to induce your opponent to make a bet big enough that you will not wish to call it, though you suspect there is a good chance you have the best hand. if a blocking bet will significantly reduce the chance of the opponent making a big bluff that you're hand is not strong enough to call, then it might be worth making, even if there is no chance of the bet being called by a worse hand (thus the only purpose of the bet is to block a bluff).

so the main conditions would be:

-you think you have the best hand, but your hand is not strong enough to want to call a big bluff on the river

-your opponent is significantly more likely to make such a big bluff if you check, than if you bet

of course the pot size, stack sizes etc all would play into your estimation of whether and how much to make a blocking bet

intheflatfield · #3 08-09-2005, 01:51 PM

[ QUOTE ]
the main reason to make a blocking bet on the river would be if you believe that checking might show enough weakness to induce your opponent to make a bet big enough that you will not wish to call it, though you suspect there is a good chance you have the best hand. if a blocking bet will significantly reduce the chance of the opponent making a big bluff that you're hand is not strong enough to call, then it might be worth making, even if there is no chance of the bet being called by a worse hand (thus the only purpose of the bet is to block a bluff).

so the main conditions would be:

-you think you have the best hand, but your hand is not strong enough to want to call a big bluff on the river

-your opponent is significantly more likely to make such a big bluff if you check, than if you bet

of course the pot size, stack sizes etc all would play into your estimation of whether and how much to make a blocking bet

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice reply, very informative and straightforward. FWIW.

Isura · #4 08-09-2005, 02:01 PM

Nice post.

AA suited · #5 08-09-2005, 02:58 PM

[ QUOTE ]
the main reason to make a blocking bet on the river would be if you believe that checking might show enough weakness to induce your opponent to make a bet big enough that you will not wish to call it, though you suspect there is a good chance you have the best hand. if a blocking bet will significantly reduce the chance of the opponent making a big bluff that you're hand is not strong enough to call, then it might be worth making, even if there is no chance of the bet being called by a worse hand (thus the only purpose of the bet is to block a bluff).

so the main conditions would be:

-you think you have the best hand, but your hand is not strong enough to want to call a big bluff on the river

-your opponent is significantly more likely to make such a big bluff if you check, than if you bet

of course the pot size, stack sizes etc all would play into your estimation of whether and how much to make a blocking bet

[/ QUOTE ]

I prefer checking, and letting him bet. if he has something, he'll value bet (1/4 to 1/3 pot) to keep me in the pot. This would be about the same amount as your blocking bet.

if he's bluffing, he might bet big to buy the pot. you call and win more chips.

so in check/calling, you lose about the same amount of chips to a better hand, but gain more by inducing a bluff by a worse hand.

Is there a flaw in my theory? If so, what/why? [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

gumpzilla · #6 08-09-2005, 03:01 PM

[ QUOTE ]

Is there a flaw in my theory? If so, what/why? [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes. You're assuming that big bet = bluff, small bet = value. Not everybody will play this way. If your opponent can bet big for value you'll lose more this way.

DWarrior · #7 08-09-2005, 03:13 PM

I thought it was also in case you have something like TPTK and you don't want your opponent to push you out with a slightly weaker hand or an equal hand, not necessarily a big bluff.

JC_Saves · #8 08-09-2005, 03:54 PM

I think your thinking is a bit flawed, because in situations where "you think you have the best hand" may not always be the case, and many times your opponent will make a big bet, because:
A) they have the best hand.
B) they are bluffing.
C) they are in the same boat as you, and are unsure.

There are many times where if you check your opponent will bet such an amount to where it is just incorrect to call with your holdings. There is absolutely no way of knowing with enough certainty to warrant calling huge bets when you are unsure if you have the best hand.

If you are willing to call a 1/2 pot bet it is always better to be the bettor than hoping that that is all they bet. What if they bet the pot? 2X the pot?

Most of the time it is not a 1/4 to 1/3 value bet that you are facing. It is 1/2 to 2/3 to pot bets. If they bet less than 1/3 of the pot all the time then there would be no need to worry about blocking bets, but this just is not the case.

In truth on a scary board a 1/4 to 1/3 bet looks more suspicious to me.

intheflatfield · #9 08-09-2005, 03:57 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I think your thinking is a bit flawed, because in situations where "you think you have the best hand" may not always be the case, and many times your opponent will make a big bet, because:
A) they have the best hand.
B) they are bluffing.
C) they are in the same boat as you, and are unsure.

There are many times where if you check your opponent will bet such an amount to where it is just incorrect to call with your holdings. There is absolutely no way of knowing with enough certainty to warrant calling huge bets when you are unsure if you have the best hand.

If you are willing to call a 1/2 pot bet it is always better to be the bettor than hoping that that is all they bet. What if they bet the pot? 2X the pot?

Most of the time it is not a 1/4 to 1/3 value bet that you are facing. It is 1/2 to 2/3 to pot bets. If they bet less than 1/3 of the pot all the time then there would be no need to worry about blocking bets, but this just is not the case.

In truth on a scary board a 1/4 to 1/3 bet looks more suspicious to me.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well Stated Sir..

West · #10 08-09-2005, 04:02 PM

sure, if it is a blocking bet, the purpose is to prevent a big bet from opponent that will cause you to fold a winning hand (whether he is stone cold bluffing with nothing or is barely losing to you, either way the outcome and the cost to you is the same)

of course if you thought you're opponent had top pair worse kicker than you, you might bet for value, because you think he will call your bet with a worse hand. or check because you think he won't call your value bet, but might make a bet with his losing hand that you are willing to call. and of course if you think your opponent might bet big with a worse hand, BUT, you are willing to call because you think he will be betting with a worse hand often enough to make calling profitable, then you might want to check to invite him to bluff.