Big Blind and Small Blind in Poker

Have you ever watched a poker game and wondered why someone throws money in before they even see their cards? That’s the beauty of the blinds. It’s the secret sauce that keeps the pot interesting and the competition fierce. In poker, imagine two players ante up before seeing their cards – that’s the small blind and big blind!

The big blind, as its name suggests, is a bigger forced bet, usually the minimum amount you can wager at the table. The small blind is its sidekick, usually half the size. These positions rotate around the table with each hand, so everyone has a turn to contribute. So next time you see a game heating up, remember, it all started with those blind bets getting the party started! If you’re looking for a place to join the action, BLITZPOKER deals out all the thrills of online poker with tournaments, cash games, and exciting offers for new players.

What is SB and BB in poker?

In poker, SB and BB stand for Small Blind and Big Blind, respectively. These are forced bets that players must put into the pot before the cards are dealt. The small blind is usually half the size of the big blind, and they are placed by the players sitting to the left of the dealer button (the button that indicates the nominal dealer position for that hand). The purpose of the existence of the BB and the SB is to stimulate action and ensure that there’s money in the pot for players to compete for. After the blinds are posted, the action begins with the player to the left of the big blind.

Big Blind Rule

In poker, there’s a rule called the “Big Blind Rule.” It’s something you’ll often come across in both cash games and tournaments. Here’s the deal: if you’re sitting in the big blind spot and decide not to play a hand, you have two choices. You can either put in the big blind to keep playing or wait until the next hand to jump back in.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Let’s say you’ve already paid the big blind, but then you decide to take a break before it’s your turn again. Well, good news! You usually don’t have to pay it again when you come back. This rule keeps things fair and square, making sure nobody gains an unfair advantage by dodging their big blind obligation.

Small Blind Rules

Let’s now talk about the “Small Blind Rules” in poker. These rules are all about what the player in the small blind position has to do:

Forced Bet: Before the cards even come out, the player in the small blind spot has to put in a bet. It’s usually half the size of the big blind.

Pre-Flop Action: After that, the action goes around the table clockwise. The next player can choose to call, raise, or fold.

Post-Flop Action: Once the first three community cards are out (that’s called the flop), it’s the small blind’s turn to make a move. They can check, bet, or fold, depending on what the other players have done.

Blind Defence: Since the small blind already put chips in the pot without seeing their cards, they want to protect their bet. They might call or raise if someone else tries to bet big.

Blind Stealing: On the flip side, some players might try to snatch the small blind’s bet by raising before the cards are even dealt, hoping they’ll fold and give up their money.

Where Are the Big Blind and Small Blind in Poker?

In poker, the big blind and small blind are specific positions relative to the dealer button, which rotates clockwise around the table after each hand. The small blind is the position immediately to the left of the dealer button, and the big blind is the next position to the left of the small blind.

Why Are The Big and Small Blinds Important? | What Role Do Blinds Play?

Blinds in Cash Games

In cash games, the blinds play a crucial role. Here’s what you need to know:

Purpose of Blinds

Blinds ensure that all players contribute a minimum amount to each pot, keeping the game fair and lively. This encourages players to participate in more hands, which increases the size of the pots and the cardroom’s earnings.

Fixed Blind Amounts

In cash games, the blinds remain fixed for the duration of the game. However, players can collectively agree to change the blind levels if needed. Different tables may offer various blind levels to accommodate players’ preferences. Online, blinds range from as little as one U.S. cent to over ₹1,000.

Buy-in Limits

The buy-in at a table is usually set relative to the big blind. In live games, the minimum buy-in is typically between 50 and 80 big blinds, while the maximum buy-in ranges from 100 to 250 big blinds. Online, there are “short stack” tables with buy-ins of 50 big blinds or less and “deep stack” tables with buy-ins of 100 big blinds or more.

Missed Blinds

Here’s what happens when players miss their blinds:

Absent Players

Players who miss their blinds must wait until the dealer button passes them before rejoining the game. They then need to post both the big and small blinds to resume playing. The small blind is considered “dead,” meaning it doesn’t count towards bets or raises.

Returning to the Game

Players can choose to wait until they’re due to post the big blind again before rejoining the game, relieving them of their missed blind obligations.

Table Rules

Some live cash game tables require all players with chips to be dealt in, regardless of their presence. If a player doesn’t return by their turn, they’re automatically folded.

Blinds in Tournament Play

In poker tournaments, blinds have a dual purpose:

Controlling Tournament Duration

Blinds determine how long the tournament lasts. Before the tournament begins, players agree on a blind structure set by the organizer. This structure dictates the duration of each round and how much the blinds increase.

Increasing Pressure

As the blinds increase, players need to accumulate more chips to stay competitive. If players don’t win more chips, they risk being blinded out of the tournament. Unlike cash games, players can’t miss blinds in tournaments. If absent, blinds and antes are still taken from their stack until they return or run out of chips.