Blinds
The two forced bets (small blind and big blind) posted by the players to the left of the button before any cards are dealt. They exist so there is always something to play for.
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Full glossaryFrequently asked questions
What are the blinds in poker?
Forced bets posted before the cards are dealt by the two players to the left of the dealer button — the small blind and the big blind, the latter usually double the former. They seed the pot so that there is something to compete for.
Why does the big blind defend so wide?
Because the money is already posted, the additional price to continue is smaller than it would be from any other seat. That better price justifies playing many more hands, even though the big blind must act first on every post-flop street.
Why do blinds increase in tournaments?
To force the tournament to end. Players cannot add chips, so as the blinds rise every stack becomes shorter in relative terms and action is compelled. This is why tournament stacks are measured in big blinds rather than chips.
What is a big blind ante?
A format in which the player in the big blind pays the ante for the entire table in one payment, instead of every player posting an individual ante. It collects the same amount while speeding up live dealing, and it means paying both the blind and the ante in that one hand.