Poker is a game of strategy and wit that can often be hindered in-game by players who cannot think or act quickly. The inability to make quick decisions is typically due to a condition called unblocking, which hinders players from thinking about their options or taking risks.
This article will outline what unblocking is and how it affects a player’s game.
What Is Unblocking?
When we think of blocking in poker, we typically think of physical blocking. This is the act of physically obstructing an opponent and preventing them from seeing or taking action. Blocking does not happen every single time, but it can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- Not being able to see action cards because someone stands in the way
- Not being able to see other players’ hands due to being blocked by a player who has both arms on the table
- Someone standing too close and interrupting a full view of the table.
There is also a condition within poker called unblocking, which has a different meaning: it refers to the mental blocking of players from taking actions that they know are needed or taking risks. In some cases, this occurs when faced with decisions that can be difficult and take time to consider. It also occurs because of emotional tension and other psychological blocks in the brain. As a result, players on the receiving end of unblocking often suffer from decreased performance in certain situations, even though they may be good poker players.
How It Affects A Player’s Game
Unblocking can affect a game in several different ways. Let’s take a look at how:
If one decides to slow play or check-raise a strong hand in hopes of trapping someone, but they hold a weak hand and play it anyway, that is an example of unblocking.
Suppose a player is considering moving all in before the river with a mediocre hand during a tournament and thinks about it for several moments before folding. In that case, this is also an example of unblocking.
If a player decides to make a risky bluff with an obviously strong hand and follow through with it but then immediately thinks about folding when the action gets back to the player, this also is an example of unblocking.
A player who hesitates on what action to take or thinks too much about their decision is also experiencing unblocking. Players who are hesitant often miss opportunities in their game.
In conclusion, unblocking can occur to anyone at any time, and it is a condition that is not usually easy to recognize or treat. However, learning to recognize unblocking in a game and its effects on the play will allow one to develop strategies and betting patterns to keep a player free of unblocking.
