Blocker bets, Pro's and Con's?

Kujowolf1

While on a recent poker table, the discussion arose about "blocker" bets.

Anyone not familiar with the term, a blocker bet is basicaly a small bet to prevent someone that keeps raising who bets AFTER you at the table,

some people have said they think its a good strategy others say its a bad idea.

does anyone have a view on this kind of bet ?

In my expereince of using it, it either steals the pot or lets me see the next card cheaper than just flat check and being used as a calling station. 

So what are your thoughts about blocker bets, do you use it, do you think its a good tactic or wasted chips ?

Slykllist

Pointless in most situations IMO

Can be useful if you have a very thin value hand on the river against a very aggressive player that has shown he will fold in these spots if he bricks otherwise all you're doing is building the pot as a good aggressive player will still raise you behind if you show weakness (which blocker bets do).

Problem with putting in a small bet oop is most of the time it just looks so weak, particularly if you do this a lot (if so it is a massive leak) a good player will spot the pattern, work out what it means and punish you relentlessly.

K8LOU

I don think a blocker bet has any value at all !!!! if i have barreled flop and turn with air and i assume some1 is using a blocket bet on the river i figure they dont want to put any more of there stack in and i will either put in a big raise or just open jam which often gets through !! There are alot of really aggro regs on sky and i think most will be able to spot a blocker bet from a mile off so i think this is always a minus ev play, maybe against more inexperienced players this wont be punished but the regs will jam it down your throat !!!!!

FCHD

Alternatively what looks to be a blocker bet could actually be a bet to induce a shove from the player in position.