In poker, “Blinds” are mandatory bets placed by one or more players to the left of the dealer button *before* any cards are dealt. Their primary purpose is to create an initial pot for players to compete for, stimulating action in each hand and ensuring there’s always money at stake. There are typically two blinds: the Small Blind (SB) and the Big Blind (BB), with the Big Blind usually setting the minimum bet for the first round of betting.
Example
Consider a standard $1/$2 No-Limit Hold’em cash game. The player immediately to the left of the dealer button posts the Small Blind (SB) of $1. The player to their left then posts the Big Blind (BB) of $2. These amounts immediately create a $3 pot even before any cards are distributed to the players. When the action begins, the first player to act (Under the Gun) must at least call the $2 Big Blind to stay in the hand, or they can raise to a higher amount, or fold.
Strategy Tip
For beginners, understanding your position relative to the blinds is crucial. When you’re in the blinds, you’re forced to put money into the pot, giving you a worse starting position as you’ll act early in subsequent betting rounds. Intermediate players can leverage this by ‘stealing the blinds’ from late position (e.g., Cutoff or Button) with a wider range of hands, hoping opponents in the blinds will fold rather than defend. Conversely, when you are in the blinds, consider defending your blinds with a slightly wider range against late position raises, especially if you’re getting good pot odds, but always be mindful that you will be playing the rest of the hand out of position.
FAQ
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Q: What is the difference between the Small Blind and the Big Blind?
A: The Small Blind is typically half the amount of the Big Blind. The Big Blind sets the minimum bet for players to call in the first betting round, while the Small Blind contributes a smaller, mandatory amount to the pot. -
Q: Why do blinds rotate around the table?
A: Blinds rotate around the table along with the dealer button to ensure fairness. This system ensures that every player at the table eventually pays the blinds, contributing equally to the game over time and experiencing play from all positions. -
Q: Can I fold my hand even if I’ve posted a blind?
A: Yes, absolutely. Posting a blind is a forced bet, but it doesn’t obligate you to play the hand. If you receive your cards and decide they are not strong enough to play, you can still fold your hand, forfeiting the money you contributed as a blind to the pot.