Is a small bet made on the river, usually by the player out of position, with the intention of preventing the opponent from making a larger bet or bluff.
The blocking bet is typically made when the player believes they have a weak hand, but still want to see a showdown. By making a small bet, the player hopes to convince their opponent to make a similar small bet or call, rather than a larger bet or raise. This can help the player save money by avoiding a larger bet, or win the pot by inducing their opponent to fold a better hand.
For example, suppose a player has a weak pair on the river and faces a large bet from their opponent. Instead of calling the bet or folding, the player may decide to make a blocking bet of a small amount to prevent their opponent from making a larger bet or bluff. If the opponent does not have a strong hand, they may decide to call the blocking bet rather than making a larger bet or raise, allowing the player to win the pot.