A blocking bet is a bet you place out on the river, when you are first to act. The purpose of a blocking bet – otherwise referred to as a ‘stopper bet’ – is twofold. It enables you to minimise your losses in a hand; and it prevents you from getting bluffed out of the hand.

As a cash game specialist, a blocking bet is something I use continuously. Any good cash game player will tell you their primary purpose at the table is to maximise their gains (when ahead) and minimise their losses (when behind).

A blocking bet is often misinterpreted as a value bet and will result in a no-raise 70% of the time and a fold 30% of the time (assuming you have a solid table image).