Poker Basics

Blinds

Forced bets posted by two players before cards are dealt. The player to the left of the dealer button posts the small blind, and the next player posts the big blind. Blinds create action by ensuring there is always money in the pot to compete for. Blind levels define the stakes of a cash game (e.g., $0.50/$1.00).

Quick answer

Blinds are mandatory bets posted before the cards are dealt. The small blind is posted by the player left of the button, and the big blind is posted by the next player. They create a pot to fight for and define the stakes of most Hold'em and Omaha games.

Example

At a 0.05/0.10 BTC table, you post 0.05 BTC as the small blind. The player to your left posts 0.10 BTC as the big blind. These forced bets start the action.

How blinds affects real play

Blinds create pressure to act

Without blinds, players could wait forever for premium hands. Forced bets make every orbit cost money, so players must steal, defend, and adjust instead of folding endlessly.

Blind defense is not optional

The big blind already has money in the pot, so calling a raise can be cheaper than it looks. Good players defend enough hands to avoid being exploited, but they still fold weak hands against tight ranges.

Small blind play is difficult

The small blind gets a discount preflop but acts first after the flop. That positional disadvantage means small blind ranges should usually be tighter than button or cutoff ranges.

Tournament blinds change strategy

As blind levels rise, stack sizes shrink in big-blind terms. A stack that felt deep early can become short later, changing open sizes, shove ranges, and calling decisions.

Where this matters

Move from definition to decision.

Glossary pages explain the language. Use the links below to see how the term affects room choice, rakeback value, or payment tradeoffs on the commercial side of the site.

Position strategy chartSee how seat position changes preflop decisions.Preflop odds chartCheck hand strength before defending or attacking blinds.Bankroll calculatorPlan stakes by buy-ins, blinds, and risk tolerance.

Blinds questions players ask

Who pays the blinds in poker?

The two players left of the dealer button post the blinds. The first player posts the small blind, and the next player posts the big blind. The button moves after each hand, so the cost rotates around the table.

Are blinds the same as antes?

No. Blinds are paid by specific seats before each hand. Antes are smaller forced bets paid by every player, or sometimes by the big blind in a big-blind-ante structure.

What does a $1/$2 blind game mean?

It means the small blind is $1 and the big blind is $2. Those blinds define the cash-game stake and help players estimate buy-in size, pot size, and bankroll requirements.

Related Terms

Big Blind Small Blind Button Ante