Blockers in poker: what they are and how to use them
A blocker is a card in your hand that makes certain hands less likely or impossible for your opponent. If you hold the A♠ on a board with three spades, your opponent can’t have the ace-high flush. Blockers help you decide which hands to bluff with and when to call big bets.
Simple examples
Section titled “Simple examples”| Your card | Board | What you block |
|---|---|---|
| A♠ | K♠ 9♠ 4♠ 2♦ 7♣ | The nut flush |
| A♥ | A♦ K♣ 7♠ 3♥ 2♣ | Some A-x hands; only two aces left for your opponent |
| K♣ | Q♦ J♠ 10♥ 4♣ 2♦ | Some straights with A-K or K-9 |
| Q♠ Q♣ | Q♦ 8♥ 3♣ | Sets of queens: there’s only one queen left |
Blockers when bluffing
Section titled “Blockers when bluffing”A good river bluff often holds a card that blocks your opponent’s strongest calls. For example, with A♠ 5♣ on a board with three spades, your opponent can’t have the nut flush, so they’ll fold some smaller flushes to a big bet. See when to bluff.
Blockers when calling
Section titled “Blockers when calling”Blockers also help with hard calls. If you hold a card that makes the value hands you fear less likely, a call is better. If you block the bluffs (for example, you hold the cards your opponent would bluff with), calling is worse.
Blockers preflop
Section titled “Blockers preflop”- A-5 suited is a popular 3-bet bluff because the ace makes A-A and A-K less likely.
- Holding an ace makes it less likely the blinds have A-A when you steal.
Keep it in proportion
Section titled “Keep it in proportion”Blockers adjust close decisions. They don’t turn a bad bluff or a bad call into a good one. Start with hand ranges first, then use blockers to break ties.
What is a blocker in poker?
Section titled “What is a blocker in poker?”A card in your hand that makes certain hands less likely or impossible for your opponent.
Why is A-5 suited a good 3-bet bluff?
Section titled “Why is A-5 suited a good 3-bet bluff?”The ace blocks A-A and A-K, and the hand can still make flushes and straights.
How do blockers help with bluffing?
Section titled “How do blockers help with bluffing?”Bluff with hands that block your opponent’s strongest calling hands, such as the nut flush.
Are blockers more important than ranges?
Section titled “Are blockers more important than ranges?”No. Think about ranges first; blockers help with close decisions.