Mastering Block Betting in Poker

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Matt Hunt takes a deep dive into the theory of block-betting! Learn when and why to employ this powerful poker tactic.
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Mastering Block Betting in Poker
0:00 Intro
0:56 What is a block bet?
2:28 Why block bet?
3:50 Depolarized equity distributions
6:54 Range manipulation
10:48 Double indifference
13:53 Setting the price
16:21 Benefits to middling strength hands
18:10 Inducing raises
21:00 Folding to a raise
22:26 5 spots to implement a block bet
23:44 Spot 1) Polarized board-changing cards
27:36 Spot 2) Depolarized lines as turn aggressor
31:33 Spot 3) Depolarized lines as flop aggressor
34:54 Spot 4) Defensives line as flop caller OOP
39:12 Spot 5) Check-down lines
43:23 Summary
#GTOWizard #GTO #poker

[@GTOWizard]

What situations do you like to block-bet? What would you like to see Matt Hunt cover next? 👇

[@looper6394]

i like to blockbet, get raised and level myself into calling because i might v induced a bluff 🤠

[@Mat-oh3xe]

Looks like i have been using these wrong, but i generally use them on board changing rivers, usually with the intent to fold to a raise but just like looper i talk myself into calling.

[@justinhart7172]

@@Mat-oh3xe I think that’s when to use them. When board changing cards fall. Wouldn’t make sense to block river on K7293 when nothings changed and villain has been the bettor each street along the way

[@justmusic2353]

When will you guys add more ICM training instead of chip EV? I feel like most of the training for chip EV is counter productive as we enter ICM relatively quick and most important stages of the tournament. For example I would like to drill for BB defense but the only drill available are for Chip EV which would be a massive blunder if I followed that defending range late into the tournament

[@speedreader7700]

You seriously are brilliant with your videos that mock things other people are being dumb AF about… please learn you cannot contain gas PRESSure without a container for the gas to PRESS upon like a balloon or tire or propane tank… and that we breathe gas contained to the earth and that we are lied to about emptiness being above us and not a firmament (dome or container) to keep the air we breathe over the level water (why we use water levels and not water curves) and land on the earth so we don’t suffocate! God didn’t lie on the first page of the Bible but man has lied with their writing and telling you how to live in the whole New Testament which is not a new but a nonsense testament by men… God showed me He’s real simply cause I wanted to know and said I wouldn’t until I could prove it with logic… and a simple thing everyone knows (we cannot contain gas without a container) but no one puts into words was given to me later along with miracles from Him to show me He’s real (regrettably cause even though you know you have a God to talk to you can still feel lonely and you realize He ain’t doin shît for anyone to make them less miserable in his crappy creation)… but who doesn’t just wanna know some truth?

[@alfredwang3391]

what a well made video, better delivery than 70% of my college professor

[@209twitch]

He said “which of the graphs IF ANY” and then the answer was all of them. That was a pretty good reverse tell. Well played.

[@SerErryk]

Is this comment a reverse tell? Because I saw this comment before watching. 😊

[@nesterzhzhot]

This content is pure gold. Thank you ☺️

[@dankm4214]

Amazing presentation!

[@1312Mork2]

Mr Hunt is HEAVY. This was good

[@superpasi7315]

Did you just call him fat?

[@KimiiiRaikkonen]

10/10. Top content. Also love that you take the tournament ranges rather than cash. I'm a tournament player :D !

[@samuraijack1371]

I’m just 12mins into it and I find some misconceptions already. For example: he says “we are trying to make villains value bets indifferent between sizings” This is true only for thin value hands. You can’t make nuts/thick value indifferent. And this distinction is important. Also, you not only try to make them indifferent with sizing but also indifferent with thin value bets going for check vs thin bets. Understanding the difference here is important

[@GTOWizard]

Good point! This is why block-betting is typically done against ranges that have lots of medium-strength hands.

[@normanatm7]

very organized and methodical presentation.

[@Egoinpokeregobroke]

When playing against weaker opponents you actually don't want to make the indifferent between certain actions right? because then their EV will be the same. So does it make sense to use block betting as an exploit? And if yes what would those situations be when not considering being balanced at all?

[@GTOWizard]

If they are indifferent between calling and folding their EV is effectively 0, and you have captured 100% of the pot while remaining balanced. Exploitatively you can lean more one direction or the other, but indifference is generally the goal of GTO.

[@user-ep2lr3im4z]

Could you please link Saulo depolarization video that you have mentioned at the end of the video?

[@GTOWizard]

You can find it on our coaching page: app.gtowizard.com/coaching?video_id=25a334de-55eb-4af0-9995-e4af00da4271&vid_coaches=saulo_costa

[@alexaylward6076]

Great video! Can you link the Tombos article mentioned at the 21:24 mark?

[@GTOWizard]

Thanks! Here's the article mentioned: blog.gtowizard.com/the-initial-bettors-advantage/

[@alexaylward6076]

Thanks@@GTOWizard

[@mitchmilheim1290]

Matt Hunt is the goat

[@spencershade5070]

His name is Mike

[@davidecaramia8567]

Yet there are some IP spots where small bets are used on the river. Especially in B-X-B or X-X-B lines

[@justinhart7172]

can a block bet be leading river after villain bet turn... it just feels out of flow and a done.. to me a block bet would be after turns get checked thru.. am I wrong

[@GTOWizard]

"Block bet" just indicates a small bet from out of position. You're referring to a "donk bet" (leading into the aggressor). You can block bet as a donk or as a lead.

[@justinhart7172]

@@GTOWizard it feels like it’s not a think to donk turn or river following villain prior Street of betting on non changing board cards like K742 were not blocking turn or K7293 were not gonna block river

[@StairwayToHvNN]

isn't this the solve for why guy?

[@GTOWizard]

Yes!