Posts Tagged ‘big blind’

Unusual Offer

Hello,

Recently I played low-limit in Vegas. In the small blind, I remember everyone folded to me and consequently asked me something. Because I had a playable hand, I was already limping in. The question was actually about my willingness to take our blinds back and play the next hand. Well, the opinion of the dealer then was that it was already too late as I had already called. Your thoughts on this?

By the way, why do you think the big blind offered such considering if I later choose not to take his offer it will look like as if he doesn’t have a strong hand?

Thanks a lot!
Regards,
Daniel
Daniel,

When just the blinds are left, it is not uncommon for the blinds to “chop” the bet and take their blinds back. You are not required to do so however. You may still play your hand.

With Losing Hands

Hi,

I’m here to ask this, how will you know you have the best hand? Recently I played online and had KQs. Well, it was a 1$ big blind table. At the position before the button, there were no raises preflop therefore I just raised 1$. Players who were in the hand called. Flop then came and brought 333. Checks all around followed. After a while turn came and brought Q, it then checked all around. River came and was K. It later checked around to me therefore I decided to place 5$ bet. Everyone else then folded except for one player who re-raised me 15$. I then called with the thought that everything was just a bluff. He then showed me K3 off suit and immediately taken down the pot.

Now as I try to analyze things up I can’t afford not to think that I maybe have misplayed the hand. Also, I’ve read in books and websites that “If the pot is laying you 6:1 and your no worse than that to win it, make the call”. But I don’t know how can I ascertain if I’m 6:1 to win the hand or not.

The other day I’ve seen plenty of examples on your odds of making a draw or improving your hand, but I wonder, what if you’re not drawing to the Nuts, how can you tell what your winning odds are?

Please I need your help. Thanks in advance!

Best regards,
Tommy
Tommy,

First, that was a split pot. Both of you had three’s full of kings.

Next to determine whether your worse than 6 to 1 to win, when you 6 to1, you are around 17% to win the hand. If you are on the flop, figure out the number of outs to win the hand. Multiply it by 4. This will give you your percentage to win the hand by the river. If it is greater or equal to 17, then you are better than 6 to 1. On the turn, calculate your outs by 2 to get the percentage. If you are equal or better than 17% to hit your hand, then you are better than 6 to 1.

Early, Middle and Late Position Vs. Number of Players

Hello,

Can you please define early, middle and late position in contrast with the number of players at a certain table?

I’ll be glad to hear from you.

Many thanks,
Matt
Matt,

In a nine handed table, the small blind, big blind, and under the gun players are early position. The next three players are middle position. The last three players, which includes the button, is late position.

Heads Up and TV WPT Screenings

Hi,

I have two questions to ask. Please bear with me.

1. In texas holdem, when it goes to heads up I normally think that the small blind is on the button as opposed to the left. Am I right on this? If yes, why do I think like this?
2. I remember there were two commentators in the TV WPT screenings. They were in the same room that doesn’t seemed to have any sound-proofing or what so I was curious then why players can’t hear them. Your thoughts?

Thanks and more power!

Vic
Vic,

1. There are only two players. As a result the small blind is on the button and the big blind on the other player.
   
2. The two commentators were not in the same general area. They were far enough away so that the players cannot hear them. In some instances, they really aren’t in the same room. They just make it appear that they are.

First Live Poker

Hello,

Finally I was able to play live poker in a real casino. Supposedly, I’m going to try tourneys but I haven’t found any tourney scheduled therefore I just tried cash game.

I decided to play at Caesar’s Indiana riverboat for I heard before it expanded and has actually modernized its poker room, I wanted to see with my own two eyes the said changes.

First I chose what kind of game. I then chose the cheapest blinds in a no limit, $1/$2. What was quite surprising about their blinds was that they never change or increase. Room has pagers that will inform you when to come back in case you go out to test out other tables.

As expected, you have to wait for your name to be called and then later in case go immediately to the cashier to buy chips. Well, my table then had a min buy-in of $100 and a maximum of $300.

Just an advice then, buy in for the table max. Then do it for three reasons. First, others will notice and will make judgments about your play and eventually may gun for you if in case you show up with less. Second, to win over a typical run of bad cards, losses, etc. you must have sufficient chips right in front of you. Third, maximize your profit in case you get lucky and have a monster hand and later hook someone into a huge clash. Remember that the more chips you have the more you can make eventually.

At some point, I finally sat down at the table with my $300. Dealer then immediately approached me if I want to come in right away or wait for the button then. I decided to wait however something came up. Every half an hour, anyone sitting at the table has to give $6 to Caesar for the honor of playing. I guess it was a some kind of a table tax. To continue, well, I finally started playing. There was one thing I suddenly noticed, there wasn’t much pre-flop raise less than $10, $15 and even $20 was not unusual. Unlike in my home game experience, a typical pre-flop raise is 3-5 times the big blind. After such discovery, I decided to play a little tighter than usual. However, whenever I played a pot, I became aggressive.

Unluckily, for quite a while, my cards sucked. I then tried to be fortunate with suited connectors, low pairs, etc. but then still gradually lost some chips. Then I got JJ, raised while everyone else folded. Finally, I won $3. I was very happy. So at such point I already have a rock image at the table because of my lousy run of cards.

Next hand I had was pocket Ks. I then raised same amount but got three callers. To check if I will later on win or lose, I bet out about 1/3 of the pot. Two players folded. Then I called. Turn came and brought A. I then bet again while he called. River came but of no help. I then checked while he bet big. After a while he showed an Ace. Luckily, I won an all in showdown, doubled up and ended up winning $50 on the day after 5.5 hours.

Any thoughts?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Best regards,
Joe
Joe,

In the hand you called the big bet on, you should have probably folded. They had an apparent pair of Aces and you were beat.

As far as your other play, over it sounded ok, but you were a little card dead. Be careful with suited connector and try to only play them when you can see the flop cheap.

Finally, the $6 fee was a time payment by each player. Chances are they did not pull any rake at this table. If they took the fee and charged a rake, then I would play at this table anymore as you are feeding the casino too much money.

On Heads Up Play

Hello,

Can you actually make a grouping of what cards to play? And another one, I don’t totally understand being in the small blind and the big blind in heads up or even 3 players, can you please explain it to me?

Hope to hear from you.

All the best,
Howee
Howee,

The small blind is on the button in heads up play. The button will act first preflop and then last for the rest of the hand. The button and blinds move around as normal in a 3 handed game.

As far as hand ranges, you can play most any reasonable hand. Strong hands include any two cards 10 and up, any pair, and any ace (suited or non). These are all raising hands. You can usually see a flop with other hands and try to catch lucky. Of course 7-2 and hand of that sort I would stay away from unless I’m in the blind or we are seeing every flop for the blinds only.

How Many Hands to Play

Hello,

I don’t know how many hands one should exactly play. Well, a tight one will play approximately 20-25% of the hands they are dealt. By the way, play here means the hands that see the flop.

In case you calculate the percentage, will you include the percentage of times you saw the flop from the big blind position? I tried deducting the big blind from the total to get the percent of hands that I do play and I got approximately 30-40%. Is my percentage good enough?

Since I started playing poker, I’ve been earning fairly. Maybe if I tighten up a bit, I might earn more. I’ve been playing limit holdem (not exceeding .25/.50), however I’m oftentimes short in bankroll. At times cleaned the house and other instances ended a loser.

I’ve tried to play right. Quit when there’s a need to do so. At times if I started with $20 and make $10 then I will quit for a while. Any thoughts?

Your help will be much appreciated.

Many thanks,
Richard
Richard,

The 20% or so rule usually applies to No Limit Holdem and is for a solid tight-aggressive player. A loose player will obviously see many more flops.

I Don’t Have Enough Discipline

Hi,

I’ve been into poker for quite some time now. As of the moment, I consider myself a good player. I believe I can be like a pro if I just work on some of my weak areas like discipline.

Most of the time, I play online. And because I don’t have much money I oftentimes play in 25 and 50 dollar NL tables. I heard your three stages and they sound really interesting to me. Well, I believe I’m in the third stage but I don’t have enough discipline. Almost every time I find myself falling in love with trash hands, suited connectors especially from bad position.

Now, I want to know if you have any advice for me. And about trash hands and one or two gap connectors, is it worth the risk to play such hands and possibly go on hoping to break someone and eventually build a table image?

Thanks a lot!

Best regards,
Devrick
Devrick,

As far as discipline, you need to go back to a tight strategy for a while. The only way to fix this is to develop a plan and stick to it. Being disciplined requires making correct choices and sticking with them.

What if Everyone Calls

Hello,

I wanna know if the big blind can actually raise in case everyone else only calls him in a no limit holdem tourney. Can he go all-in in the event the bet comes back to him and no player raises? Any thoughts?

Thank you.

Regards,
Kirt
Kirt,

If nobody raises the big blind, the big blind has the option to either check or raise. If he chooses raise, he does not get another option unless there is a reraise.

When Someone’s Busted Out

Hello,

Once you’ve said that in the event a player is busted out, the big blind going out should have a small blind on the button then followed by two big blinds in the next hand and a small blind on the button with a regular small and big blind on the hand after which. But I want to know if in the first hand after the bust out, will the player on button have to post two small blinds in a row?

What do you think?

Also, the new dealer is the one busted out by the big blind, it’s the small blind right?

Many thanks,
Alexis
Alexis,

A if a new player takes the spot that is supposed to be the small blind, then they must post the small blind.

About the Blinds

Hello,

Say a person is the next blind however is busted out immediately on the earlier hand, how will you assign then the small/big blind? For an instance, in the present hand, small blind is suddenly out then the deal goes to the player who paid the big blind, who no longer has the small blind position, who will put up the small or big blinds?

In smaller tables, things are more different. In an event with 4 players for the pot, big blind was busted out in an instant and so I was lead then to the small blind position for the following hand. Others at the table said I should put up both blinds, in addition to the present big blind position. What do you think?

Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Matt
Matt,

The easy way to remember is this. If the big blind for the next hand busts out the prior hand, then the person that was supposed to be the small blind remains the small blind and the big blind moves to the next player after the busted player. In a situation where the person that was supposed to be the small blind busts out the prior hand, there will be no small blind the next hand and just the big blind. If the person that was supposed to be the dealer busts out the prior hand, the button freezes and the blinds go to the people that are supposed to post the blinds.

Possible Difficulties

Hi,

Say a player who is supposed to post a blind busts out on the earlier hand, any difficulties I have to consider in case blinds move to the next person?

Well, for me, in the event you just move the BB to the next person and put everything behind it like how it should be, nothing much to worry as all you have to do is occasionally not have a small blind that round.

I’m a type of person who wants to have an answer to all the challenges. I would like to know all the complications, difficulties, or the like that might appear along my way.

Thanks for your time.

All the best,
Lance
Lance,

If the person that was supposed to be the big blind busts out, then the big blind just moves to the next person at the table. If the person that was supposed to be the small blind busts, there is no small blind.

Moving In to Another Table

Hi,

I know in NL tourneys that when you are moved from one table to another, you can’t then play small blind or play when you sit in on the button. But I don’t know how this one will work when you sit out hand on the small blind and then deal proceeds to the player on your left. Any thoughts on this? Do you have to sit out another hand or get dealt in?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Many thanks,
John Wales
John,

You cannot be moved to a new table in a tournament between the big blind and the button. If you are moved into the small blind position, you must wait 2 hands until the button passes you before you get a hand.

No Limit Holdem Home Games

Hello,

I have a problem. I don’t know what would be the small and big blind structure for no limit holdem home games. Say buy ins are $5 for $500 in chips; $10 for $1,000 in chips; $15 for $1,500 in chips; $20 for $2,000 in chips; $25 for $2,500 in chips. For occasional games, $50 for $5,000 or $100 for $10,000 in chips.

Another thing, for such kind of game I’ve described, how will the ante appear?

Thanks in advance!

Best,
Kelvin
Kelvin,

For most home game tournaments, I would not recommend using antes. A doubling blind structure should suffice.

An Argument About Side Pot

Hi,

I was in a no limit Texas Holdem tournament the other day. Unfortunately, an argument about side pot came up.

There were four players left, player A, player B, player C, and player D. Player A with 1000 first called the 100 in the big blind. Player B with 500 called the 100. Player C with 300 went all in for 300. Player D folded. All figures were in chips.

Later, player A called the additional 200 from the all in bet of player C. Player B followed and also called the additional 200. Flop came with three way action: player A, player B, and player C. Each player had invested 300.

Because he was the first to act after the flop, player A then made a move and then went all in, 700. Well, all of us knew then that player C had a great chance of winning 900 if his hand was the best hand at the table. Also, it was obvious that in the event player B calls the bet of player A, there would be a side pot and that whoever of the two has the best hand would win the side pot at hand. Finally, player A would have the additional 500 he placed in the pot that the other players could not cover as well as the pot from Player 1, Player 2 and Player 3.

Now, what do you think will happen in the event player B folds to the all in bet of player A? Also, in case player B folds after player A goes all in with more chips, do you feel player B can win the original pot against Player A as well as player C?

Personally, if I will be asked, if ever player B has chips left he has to call all his chips off to the bet of player A to win the main pot. In the event he folds, he will not anymore be able to have the pot. On the flip side, my friend insisted that player B should claim the all in bet after the flop of player C as he matched such bet before player A went all in. He argued that player B doesn’t need to put his chips at stake to have the original pot.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Rayner
Rayner,

Once a player goes all in and has multiple callers, the callers then are allowed to bet on the side. They are not just betting on the side, but they are also battling for the rights to the main pot. If player B folds to the all-in bet of player A, he forfeits his rights to the main pot.

Regarding Our Set Up

Hi,

I’ve been into poker for more or less six months now. I love playing with some of my friends. Normally, we are into home tournaments with around 18-20 players.

Well, we haven’t encountered yet a very serious problem. There’s just one issue we can’t resolve. Well, we typically rotate the deal by player. Little blind to the left of the dealer or button and the big blind to the left of the little blind.

Now we want to know why we are always into something when a player or players get knocked out of the game and the new dealer has not paid a blind because of the deal landing on them. Personally, I know a player should not skip the big blind. What do you think? In case it’s true, does it mean dealer should pay a blind and deal? How about multiple options?

Thank you so much for your time and creating a site like this! You’ve done a great job!

Best regards,
Steele
Steele,

A player that is moved to a table may assume any position at the table without penalty. If they are moved into the small or big blind, they must post the bet. If the dealer button is dead or frozen and they move into that spot, then they may play without posting a blind. The only time they may not receive a hand is a spot where they come into the game in a spot between the small blind and the button. They must wait a hand until the button moves to the small blind and then they may play.

When Down to the Last Two Players

Hello,

Just one question. In case you are down to the last two players, who is the small blind and who is the big blind? I’m just new to poker so I don’t have an idea.

Thanks in advance!

All the best,
Rhyner
Rhyner,

When play is heads up, the dealer is the small blind and the other player the big blind. Preflop, the dealer button will act first. For the rest of the hand, the button will act last.

Was the Big Blind Twice!

Hi,

I joined a pot-limit tournament the other night. I remember my chip stack then was around 3 ½ times the big blind and at my table were 6 players, 4 joined in while a hand was in action. If I may add, I was the big blind during such hand, was raised and then folded.

Later, button had the next hand and moved it to the direction of the player who just joined in. At such point, I was again in the big blind, then raised and folded. Next hand then came and I was the small blind that placed me all in.

In the end, I lost and just got the 29th place, 20th place paid. I wanted a refund however I was deprived from having it. Hosts said I got an advantage though I also got some disadvantages. Any thoughts?

By the way, your site is so great and helpful. Keep up the good work.

Thanks!

Regards,
Grummon
Grummon,

Their lack of knowledge cost you an extra blind.

Various Questions

Hi,

What if the table is finally down to two players, who will be dealt first? Will it be the button? If so, why? And in the event the tournament is down to the final two players, who will be in the big blind? Will it be the dealer or the non-dealer?

By the way, what’s the order of play pre-flop and post-flop? Any idea?

Thank you in advance!

Regards,
Holcombe
Holcombe,

The player not holding the button is dealt first. The player holding the button will be the small blind and the other player the big blind. Preflop, the dealer button will actually act first in heads-up play. For the rest of the hand, the button will act last.

On Blind Rules

Hello,

Say in a play a player who has been either in the small or big blind moves out, what do you think will happen to the blinds? Go to the two players to the left of the dealer? What’s in store for their blinds then?

I hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks,
Kohn
Kohn,

If the big blind for the next hand busts out in the prior hand, the big blind moves to the next available player. If the small blind for the next hand busts out the prior hand, then there is a dead small blind. If both players bust out the hand, then the big blind moves to the next player and the small blind is dead.

Rules Related to Home Tournaments

Hi,

I have some questions for you. But before I lay them down all, let me first share where I’m coming from.

Just last Saturday night, I held a small N/L tournament. Buy in was $50 for 30 players $3000 in chips, three tables of ten. Well, the blinds started at $25 / $50 for the first hour but went up after few minutes. Before the action started, I went to every table at the room to discuss some general rules. I’ve emphasized to everyone that the dealer was the one in-charge to keep control of all the muck cards in the tournament and that the sole obligation of the participants was to protect the hands at all times.

Now, here are my questions:

1. Card of a certain guy was swiped to the muck pile by another guy who was not in the hand but actually a helper of the dealer. Well, he had pocket kings with a king on the flop. Later, I just decided to bust him out of the hand and his cards were mucked then. Am I right on this?

2. There was one table which started playing the wrong level at the point by which blinds were about to move up. Other 2 tables was just about to start dealing for that level. Table went 100/200 instead of $75/150. Well, I realized betting already started so I just made every one play the same 100/200 by passing the 75/150. However, instead of 1/2 hour we played such level for 1 hour. Any thoughts?

3. I was able to make it to the final table, I was the dealer. I wanted to deal in fast pace however there were some players who have no reaction or action at all. I believe they have options. For an instance, the big blind, check or raise. However, there was one player who disagreed. Well, as the dealer, I should always let players know and understand all of their options. What do you think?

Thanks!

Regards,
Serino
Serino,

Rule on Governing Blinds

Hello,

Is there any rule governing blinds in a situation like there are eight players in the final table and one player is knocked out and the player to his left is the big blind and will be the small blind and in next hand the big blind again?

Thank you very much!

Ron Drever
Ron,

In a situation where the player that is the big blind is eliminated in a hand, the next hand there will not be a small blind. If the player would have been under the gun, the big blind would have moved one spot. If he was the small blind, then the button freezes for one hand in the spot it was previously.

Insufficient Chips

Hi there!

I have something to ask. It’s actually something that is related to players who don’t have sufficient chips to post either the small blind or the big blind. Say in a tournament with blinds 20/40, player in the small blind has only 15 in chips. Do you think he should be eliminated as he was not able to meet the blind value requirement or he can actually continue regardless if he has enough chips etc.?

I hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks a lot!

Correll
Correll,

He is permitted to continue playing, but the most he can win from each player is 15.

Want to See the Mucked Cards

Hi,

I’m into N/L tournaments with regular schedule 3 times a week. The tournaments are held just near my place. Well, we have a solid player who is known for being one of the best local players. He loves visiting Vegas 3-4 times every year and he runs the said NL tournaments.

Just the other week, I was able to play with the guy I’m talking about. I remember I was the button and he was the small blind. There was another player in the hand and I believe he was the big blind then. I had A9 off-suit and an A flopped. For some reasons, nobody folded. Turn came and was an A. Few seconds passed and they both checked. I placed a bet while he folded (I’m referring to the small blind here). Big blind on the other side called. River came and brought 5. I then made a reasonable, min bet to the big blind. This was actually right after he checked. For three times my bet, he then re-raised me. I called and afterwards waited big blind to flipped his cards over. After few seconds, he showed AJ. I knew then that I lost and so just threw my cards into the muck so that small blind won’t have any idea what my cards were. However, before the next shuffler totally had my cards, small blind said he wanted to see all what I’ve thrown. I fought out that what he wanted was not possible but he insisted that in Vegas seeing mucked cards is possible.

Because the big blind was first in line and was the first one to show, I knew then I don’t have to show my cards. However, he really insisted and then suddenly turned my cards up. Well, I knew then that he got some infos from my cards.

As of now, I’m thinking of the online poker sites that allow any player in the game to see mucked cards after the showdown is complete and cards get mucked that were still in play in the event showdown has taken place. Can you please explain to me what’s going on?

I remember small blind admitted that the infos he got really helped him. Also, he said many players don’t know that they can actually do the same thing, see the mucked cards. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks and great site!

All the best,

Smith
Smith,

Since he called your bet, he has the right to see your cards. When players go to the river and a bet is called, the players at showdown have the right to see the other player’s cards. If you muck, they can request the dealer show the cards and the dealer must show. Your opponent was perfectly within his rights. He paid for the right. If you went to see a movie and paid to see the movie, you would expect to be allowed to see the movie right?

Who Should Be the Next Dealer?

Hi,

There were 4 remaining players on the hand in a certain event. Dealer was knocked out first. Supposedly, I’m the next dealer then however one guy claimed that it should be his turn to deal. By the way, blinds were very high then.

Do you think it was my turn to deal or it was actually my turn to be the small blind instead? Another guy came in and said I was big blind alone and the blinds had gone up at that very moment. Anyway, three players were left at the table. Please kindly tell me everything you know about the conditions and rules related to situations where in someone is knocked out at the table. I need your help!

Thank you very much!

Warm regards,
Foster
Foster,

If you would have been in the big blind instead of the small blind, there would have been a dead button and you would have been small blind. If you were under the gun in that hand instead of the small blind, then your friend would have been correct.

Strategy on Isolating an Opponent

Hi,

I was in an online event early this morning. I was in mid position with the largest stack and was dealt AA. For ten times the big blind, first position raised. I thought of isolating him and so I raised him. However, the dealer and the two blinds called my raise, same thing with the original bettor. Flop came and brought JTJ rainbow. Original raiser then placed a bet by which was 3/4 of his stack however didn’t went all in. I then placed him on KK, QQ, or even AT. I then opted to fold as three bettors were waiting and any of them had a J. Others left folded.

Well, I honestly believe that with my position, I was at a major disadvantage and so I wanted to know if you have any strategies in mind about how I should isolate an opponent. At some point, I believe I should have went all in. What do you think?

Thanks a lot and keep up the good work on this site!

Regards,

Corbeil
Corbeil,

I think your fold on the flop was good not because of your position but due to your opponents bet. He bet ¾ of his stack. This looks like someone trying to induce a call or a raise. He probably had A-J or maybe even J-J. I think you made a fantastic fold.

I Lost!

Hello,

I was in a 2/4 NL event the other night. Last hand came and I was dealt Kd2d in the big blind. Later, everyone called the big blind.

Flop came and brought 8cKc8d. Small blind then placed a half the pot bet. By the way, he was a total fish and was on mega-tilt having lost about 9 buy-ins. Eventually, I called. A friend of mine followed and also called. Everyone else folded. Turn came and brought Jd. With the shortest stack, small blind then went all in. I then called after considering so many stuff. Last guy followed and also called. River came however of no help to me, no diamonds at all. Afterwards, hoping to scare him off a bit, I then placed what’s left of my stack, as my bet. Later, he called my all in and then showed 7h8s. Small blind had Kh10h.

Well, he won the biggest amount and to be honest I was really upset and disappointed. I know I had some mistakes but I can’t directly pinpoint all of them. Also, I’m wondering, did I make the right decisions in terms of betting or I should have stopped at some point? Any thoughts?

Thanks a lot!

Edwards
Edwards,

Your mistake was staying in after the flop.