Football season is in full swing (well, as I am writing this it is – if it is late spring as you, yourself, are reading this, then just bear with me) and anyone who follows the game knows the importance of an offensive line to a team’s offense: the linemen protect the quarterback, taking on charging defenders to keep him from getting pummeled, and they also open holes for the primary running back, helping him get to the end zone. In poker, there is a betting strategy that plays a similar role to that of the offensive line: the blocking bet.  A blocking bet is a bet made at some point after the flop – usually on the turn or river – that is intended to allow the bettor to see the next card (or reach showdown if it is on the river) as cheaply as possible. While it is generally considered more of a defensive move, a blocking bet can also help your “offense” and actually win you the pot.  There are two fundamental qualities of a blocking bet that make it unique from other types of bets: it must be small relative to the pot and it must be made out ...