Posts Tagged ‘small 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.

Opponents Getting Mad

Hello,

I was in a certain event the other night. Before the flop, there was no raise and I was in the small blind therefore I called a 8d-4d. Flop then brought Ks-10d-6-d. After a while, my opponent raised a small amount and so I called it. Turn came and brought 7c. He later put me all-in which made me think I already have sufficient outs to call him. Afterwards, I showed my hand and he showed his pair of 10′s. Before he could say anything back then, river came and brought 9h. In the end, I won the pot with the straight. Before we finally called the game over, he said something to me like “How can you call me with an 8 high flush draw?” and I told him I didn’t even need the flush to beat him. Your thoughts on this?

Well, I also got into with this opponent later when he raised me $10 and I came over the top and with an Ace high raised him $40. He then folded and I showed it to him but he said I don’t have to make such act at all. On my part, I did it to let him know I wasn’t afraid to bluff but at some point I don’t know if it’s a bad poker etiquette actually. What do you think?

Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Jason
Jason,

In the first hand, unless the bet on the turn was less than 25% of the pot, you really should not have called that bet. You did not have the odds to draw. You needed to catch a five or your flush to win, but at the turn you had only a 24% chance to win.

It’s not bad etiquette to show your hand, but some people take it as you showing them up or trying to embarrass them.

Texas Holdem Pot Odds

Hi,

Say there are 4 players in a hand and after the flop I’m on the button. Then small blind bets and everyone else calls. Do you think I need to calculate their bets into the pot size? For an instance, pot size $7, 1pl bet $3, 2pl call $3, and 3pl call $3. If in case I have 19% to hit my flush, do you think I have to add up the pot size with the bets behind me to calculate pot odds? If so, will it be 7 + 3 / 3 = 3/10 =30%? How about 16+3/3=3/19 = 15.7%? Your thoughts please.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Many thanks,
Victor
Victor,

You need to include all the money in the pot from all players to calculate your pot odds. It would be Size of Pot/Your call=Percentage of pot. In your case 16/3=.1875 or 18.75%. You can round this up to 19% if you so desire. You have the exact minimum you need to call this bet.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What if I Acted Differently?

Hello,

I’ve been into poker just this year. I guess I’ve been playing for just about 7 months now. Well, as of the moment, I’m more into no limit, mainly online. At times, I also play at the casinos.

Just recently, I was in an online no limit sit and go tourney. A certain hand came up and I think I have misplayed it.

I remember the tourney started with 10 players and with 1500 starting chip amount. Blinds were 10/20 at the beginning but then moved up later. After more than 20 minutes of play, tourney-blinds were 25/50 with 9 players.

At some point, I was in the small blind and was dealt K K, club and diamond. My stack was around $1900. There were three players who limped in, including the button who was the chip leader with around $3,500. He was actually playing aggressive on the post flop, normal preflop.

Later, I raised to four times the blind, thus masking it $200 to go. Flop then came and brought 9 which was a diamond, 7 another diamond, and 5 a heart. Afterwards, I placed $400 bet with a desire to take home the pot with a flush or straight draw on the board. After a while, button re-raised me to $800 and so I place him on one of these hands: nut flush draw (A-x diamonds), top pair strong kicker (A-9), a set (9s, 7,s or 5,s), and straight draw (JT).

I had so many things in mind then but later I chose to go all in. He then flipped over 8 which was a club and 6 which was a spades. Well, turn and river didn’t gave anything good so I was busted out.

Honestly, every time I remember such tourney I don’t feel really bad. However, what if I folded and picked my battles with the other more predictable tight players, could the results have been much better for me? What’s on your thoughts?

Thanks!

Regards,
Carron
Carron,

You pretty much got unlucky in my opinion.

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.

Often Into Trouble

Hi,

For about 6 months now, I’ve been playing No Limit Texas Holdem. I believe I’ve been a reasonable player however I’m always into trouble particularly when playing under the gun with big hands. I oftentimes use my knowledge specifically on betting but most of the time I fail to use what I know to my own my advantage. Just like recently, in an online NL poker, out of the small blind with KK. Well, everyone called the BB, however I re-raised to go into the flop. Flop came and was actually disturbing then, A, T, 6. I was the first to act and so I placed a bet twice the pot. One of the players folded, others called. Turn came and was another Ace. I thought of placing another huge raise or if not an all in however I don’t want to throw money once again. On the flip side, I never thought of checking to him or placing a small bet as I don’t want to appear weak and the like.

If you were me, what might have you done? Stay aggressive on the turn and then again on the river and accept that I might be paying the other player off well or just check to him and prepare if he eventually opt to raise?

By the way, your site is so helpful. Keep it up!

Regards,
Witter
Witter,

First, on the flop, I would have bet ¾ of the pot, not 200%. ¾ of the pot looks like a value bet, where 200% makes it look like you have a pair under aces. When you were called, you should have checked the turn. It may look weak, but betting will pay off that player that called you with an ace.

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.