Nothing seems to confuse new Texas hold 'em players more than the blinds. Let's sort it out.
The “dealer button” is always immediately counterclockwise to the small blind. These are the positions at a nine-handed table.
I used to play stud and draw poker with neighbors. I don't still play, but like to read about poker strategy. Would you please explain how the big blind and little blind work in hold 'em? I'm sure many of us who read LuckyDog have no idea. — Dale H., Kankakee, Ill.
Well, Dale, since I had the same question this month from John, a co-worker of mine in Moline, Ill., it's a good time to explain the blinds in hold 'em.
- Texas Hold'em is a very complex game, and there is a lot to learn. In this section, we'll reveal the bare-bones of the game. Texas Hold'em is usually played with nine or ten players at a full table with a rotating blind system. A blind system is designed to generate money to put into the pot and stimulate betting. There are two types of blinds, the big blind, which is equal to the minimum bet at the table you are playing at, and the small blind, which is half the amount of the big blind.
- There are mainly two blinds in Texas Holdem – the big and small blind, but there can sometimes be three players who have to make them. The name comes from the fact that players are being asked to bet without seeing their hands. They are betting blind, with no knowledge of the hand’s worth.
Think of the blinds as antes used to stimulate betting and initiate play. There's one key difference: Unlike stud and draw poker, in which every player must pay the same pre-determined ante before each deal, in hold 'em only the first two players to the left of the dealer position have to post a blind.
The dealer for each hand is designated by a round disk called a button. Except for the first betting round, the player with the dealer button gets to act last throughout the hand. On the first betting round, the two players in the blinds act after the button, then are first to act on remaining betting rounds.
The button moves clockwise one position for each new hand. That rotates the advantage of last action and assures that for every circuit of the button around the table, each player will pay the two blinds once. The little blind usually is half the amount of the big blind.
Here's an example:
You're in seat five of a nine-handed $4-$8 limit hold 'em cash game and the dealer button reaches seat three. That means you are in the big blind position and must put $4 in front of you before the cards are dealt. The player to your right in seat four must post the $2 small blind.
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Texas Hold'em Blinds Rules
Two down cards are then dealt to each player, starting with the small blind. On the first betting round, action starts with the player to your left in seat six, a position called 'under the gun,' meaning first to act.
From the big blind, you are last to act before the flop. If no one has raised (to $8 in this case) when the action gets back around to you, you have two options — you can check, since you're already in for the $4 bet, or you can raise to $8. Don't fold. Even a lousy 7-2 offsuit can turn into quads on a perfect flop!
If someone raises before the action gets back to you pre-flop, you have three options: fold and forfeit your $4; call the additional $4, or re-raise by betting $8 more for a total of $12.
Texas Hold'em Big And Small Blind
After the flop, the betting rotation changes. The player in the small blind on your right acts first for the rest of the hand, then you. If he has folded, you're first to act each round until the hand ends.
On the next hand, the button moves to seat four. Now you're in the small blind position and must post $2 before the deal. To stay in the hand, you must match the bet amount when it's your turn ($2 more if no one raises). Or you can fold, losing your $2 small blind.
On the next hand, you get the dealer button and can see your starting hands for free until it's time to post the blinds again.
We'll tackle playing strategies from the blind positions in a future column, Dale and John, but for now here are some other things to know:
— Some card rooms play hold 'em with a 'dead' button. That means the big blind is posted by the seated player due for it, and the small blind and button are positioned accordingly, whether or not players actually are seated there to receive a hand. This gives last-action advantage to a player on consecutive hands.
— If you miss paying one or both blinds, you must post the appropriate amount when you return or sit out until the big blind position advances to you. If you post mid-circuit, you still must pay the blinds when they reach you a few hands later in that round.
— When joining a game in progress, some card rooms require that you post the big blind amount if you want to be dealt in right away. You can choose to sit out until the big blind position reaches you normally, which is a good option because you can watch a few hands risk-free and get a feel for the table's action.
— In heads-up play using two blinds, the small blind is on the button. That player acts first before the flop and last on each subsequent betting round.
E-mail your poker questions and comments to [email protected] for use in future columns. Bar top video poker machine. To find out more about Russ Scott and read previous LuckyDog Poker columns, visit www.creators.com or www.luckydogpoker.com.
When you play Texas Hold'em, it is likely that you will meet a lot of terms that are unfamiliar to you, especially if you're new to poker. One of the most likely Texas Hold'em terms you'll meet is the blinds. So what are blinds?Texas Hold'em Blinds - A Definition
The Texas Hold'em blinds are forced bets that are initially posted at pre-flop. The blinds are placed before the pocket cards are dealt. The reason why Texas Hold'em blinds got their name is that you do not have a choice whether you want to post your money in before you see your cards.
What is the purpose of Texas Hold'em blinds?
The game features Texas Hold'em blinds to ensure action or game play. Without these forced bets, it is most likely that everyone would wait for pocket Aces all day.
The earlier versions of the game centered on the idea of players playing for the posted blind money in the pot. Today, that idea no longer applies when way more money can be won by betting, especially in low limit games. However, the Texas Hold'em blinds still serve their purpose, even when limits are higher.
Texas Hold'em Big Blind Little Blind
How do Texas Hold'em blinds work?
The amount of the Texas Hold'em blinds depend on the betting structure adopted. The Texas Hold'em blinds are usually more popular in structured limit games. In this structure, such as the $2/$4 or $3/$6 limit hold'em, the blinds are comprised of two bets made - the small and the big blind.
The Texas Hold'em blinds start to the left of the dealer. So the flow would go as follows: dealer button, small blind, and then big blind.
Texas Hold'em Tournament Blind Structure
The small Texas Hold'em blind is the first forced bet made at pre-flop. Usually, the small Texas Hold'em blind is equal to half of the lowest limit structure. So if for instance, you are playing for $2/$4, then the small blind would be $1. Another example is if you're playing a game with the limit of $3/$6. The small blind in this type of limit game is $1 or $2.
The big Texas Hold'em Blind
The big Texas Hold'em blind is the forced bet posted by the player sitting next to the small Texas Hold'em blind. The amount of the big Texas Hold'em blind is equivalent to the lowest limit structure of the game. For example, if you are playing the $2/4$ limit game, your big blind is $2. However, if you play $15/$30, you post $15 as your big blind.
Playing from the Texas Hold'em blinds?
When playing from the Texas Hold'em blinds, you run the risk of losing money fairly easy. This is especially true in a low limit or high limit game. For instance, when you have a marginal hand in middle position, your natural reaction would be to just call it. Then someone raises but that would be pretty easy to let go and save yourself the trouble. It's difficult however when you are in the big Texas Hold'em blind and the money is in the pot and someone raises. Your odds to call grow greater and you end up paying some guys good hand offs.
Simple warning about gambling: Know your limit and play within it..