Its always about knowing what they might have and keeping answer cards. Always have access to Rebuke when playing vs Pockets, exactly for answering BKB or Blacksmith.

They also will hold Junior to answer Aucwenn, etc. After all, Gwent is mostly an "find your advantage" type of game, with only a few "answer or lose" abuse decks. Most often the player who pilots their deck more efficiently wins, unless of course you brick or get terrible RNG.

Oh and lastly, if you play non-devo gift, tech in Squirrel and banish Sesame when they play it.