Experienced poker players know that, since everyone gets the same cards over time, those who win more when ahead and lose less when behind take the chips in the end. There are a wide number of strategies and moves involved in ensuring that your expectation at the table is positive. This article looks at a subtle – yet very effective poker move – the block bet.
The block bet is used when first to act and entails making a small bet designed to prevent your opponent from making a bigger one (possibly so big that you can not profitably call). There are two scenarios where using a block bet can be effectively used. Firstly when drawing (for example to a flush) and secondly when you have a good – but not great – hand on the end and would like to prevent your opponent making a bet you do not want to call.
As you will see the reasons for making the block bet mean that this move should be reserved for when you are ‘out of position’ or first to act.
Here is a scenario where you might use a block bet when drawing. You hold 9-10 before the flop and call a small raise from the big blind, the flop comes down Ace-7-8 giving you a draw to a straight. You check first to act and your opponent makes a bet of half of the current pot which you call. The turn card is an irrelevant ‘3′.
You (correctly) suspect that you opponent holds an Ace and that if you check that you will be faced with another bet. Since you have 8 outs to make your straight and expect to win at least one more bet if you make it then you would like to see the river card as cheaply as possible.
This is a great spot for a block bet – bet a reasonably small amount (not too small!) that should allow you to see the next card for less chips than checking and calling the bigger bet made by your opponent. Effectively you have confused your opponent (who will be wondering what you have at this point) and put him in a position where he will only raise a real monster. If you then hit a Jack or a Six you are likely to win at least one more bet on the river.
The block bet can also be used after all the cards are out. You do this when you are facing an opponent who is only fairly likely to have you beaten and is just as likely to bet a large amount on the end as a bluff. By betting a smaller amount first you have made your opponent far less likely to try a bluff. Sometimes your block bet will win the pot when your opponent folds, those times he calls and does have you beaten you will lose less chips than if you had checked and called the larger bet made by your opponent.
The levels of thinking in poker are often deep and complex – look out for a article on ‘Defence Against the Block Bet’ coming soon.
Mark R Holland is an online poker pro, blogger and writer for high-quality poker sites. For great poker strategy articles and tips covering SNGs, Poker Tournaments and Satellite Qualifiers visit ePassporte Poker Rooms today!
Leave a Reply