What Does Bluff Bet and Blocker Bet Poker Mean in Texas Holdem

In the last article we talked about value betting and protection value betting, today we will be talking about what bluff bet and blocker bet Poker mean. Besides identifying these betting types, more important is to balance your betting size, making your betting value not recognizable to others is a key to profit.

What is Blocker Bet Poker

In the previous discussion, we covered value bets and protection bets, both of which are types of bets made when leading in the game.

Today, we'll introduce two types of bets made when trailing in the game, and we can understand them better through an example.

• Player 1: Middle position, hand Kd/Ks
• Player 2: Button, hand 10d/10c

Note: s for spades, h for hearts, d for diamonds, c for clubs

Blinds 20/40, Player 1 raises to 160, Player 2 calls, and the blinds fold. The pot is 380.

• Flop: Ad/As/9c

Player 1 bets 120, and Player 2 calls. The pot is now 620.

Yes, you read it right. The action line is the same as in the previous example, but the hands are different. Therefore, this 120, from Player 1's perspective, is what we call a blocker bet poker.

While A is indeed within Player 1's hand range, the absence of A in the form of a big pocket pair makes Player 1 think that Player 2 might have an A in their hand.

This 120 bet is to make Player 2 consider the consequences of raising an A in the trailing kicker, which could be unfavorable. Thus, Player 1 sees this bet as the most cost-effective way to see the turn.

Understanding that it blocks oneself from losing more chips is the essence of a blocker bet poker in the realm of poker masters.

What is Bluff Bet Poker

Continuing from the previous example:

On the turn, a diamond 8 appears.

Player 1 bets 420.

Why is this 420 considered a bluff bet in the realm of Texas Hold'em masters?

Firstly, we hold the diamond K, so the turn diamond 8 does not give Player 2 a hand with a diamond flush draw.

On the first bet after the turn, the range of hands that Player 2 can call includes hands with A and hands with 9 related connectors and other middle pairs.

To put pressure on Player 2 to call, this 2/3 pot-sized bet of 420 is entirely in line with the betting strategy when protecting one's hand with an A and a big kicker. Additionally, the subsequent actions of Player 2 will expose the range of their hand, providing Player 1 with better decision-making space for the next betting rounds.

Player 2, holding two 10s and a diamond, blocks combinations of 10/Q and 10/J of the same suit in a bluffing scenario. This position, lacking an A, reduces the bluffing combinations from the opponent. In other words, the bluffing range of Player 1 is limited by this Diamond 8. For Player 2, their leading or trailing position remains unchanged. While their hand strength is the same, the leading combinations become fewer. This is a crucial point for those aspiring to become Texas Hold'em masters.

You may notice that the same two bet sizes can be value bets, blocking bets, or even bluff bets. When it's a protection bet, it may also serve as a bluff bet.

Therefore, our actions need to balance based on our hand range. As aspiring Texas Hold'em masters, we must be able to confuse our opponents and profit from it.

In this example, if we choose to fold here, we can consider a 3bet later with 10/10 in a later position, giving ourselves the initiative when facing high cards on the turn. This prevents the opponent in an earlier position from reading our hand range too quickly and losing the advantage.

Conclusion

We'll share more similar game scenarios in the future to stimulate different ideas. I wish everyone a swift journey to becoming Texas Hold'em masters, stabilizing profits in the games. Until next time!

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