Don't be a blind 'Small Blind'

Hyzepher

Don't be a blind 'Small Blind'!

One of the hardest positions to play -especially in Hold'em, is the small blind. Position wise you are worst off - you will be acting first on every subsequant betting round in that hand. If you have read my post on Position then you will know that this is a bad thing.

As the small blind you have already a stake in the hand - your money is already in the pot. So what are your options.

Well as always the strength of your hand pre flop has a lot to do with how you play the small blind, but it does vary from how you would play the same hand in another position.

Lets take a few examples.

1) No one raises up to you - In this case always call regardless of what you have in your hand. If you are holding a weak hand then passing would be foolish as you have already invested 50% by being the small blind. If you are holding a monster then raising would be foolish as you are giving away your hand strength and will be first to act after the flop. Afterall they are expecting the small blind to call and may be deceived into thinking you have nothing.

2) Everyone folds to you - In this case you are in a stronger position and based on the strength of your hand you can consider raising the Big Blind. Why - well like you the big blind has bet without seeing his hand so the actual bet is not based on hand strength. However, your raise needs to be at least considered by the Big Blind as being based on hand strength. This may cause the Big Blind to pass and you will take down the pot. Remember even winning a small pot is better than losing a large one. And as small blind any increase in chips is a massive advantage on your opponents.

The BB now has a decision whether to call your raise, fold or even re-raise. Again his hand strength will mostly be the cause of whatever action he takes. Of course if he feels that you are bluffing from the Small Blind then he may re-raise regardless. Remember successful players adapt and change their style to ensure that the ir opponents are never quite sure how they are playing. Ensure that you vary the way you play the small blind in this position to ensure that the BB has a terrible time of it.

3) The Big Blind raises - If you have decided to take part in a hand from the small blind - either by calling or raising - and the BB re-raises then you need to be very careful - especially if there is more than just you and the BB still in the hand. If there are others then most likely the BB has hit a strong hand - he is not likely to bluff more than the Small Blind since the others had a choice to enter the hand. If there is just you and him - the blinds - then you need to study the pot odds to decide whether calling is profitable.

4) Someone raises in early position - here you have to seriously think about folding. Unless you have at least KK. The risks that a strong hand is in play is too high to risk the added investment.

Overall a good piece of advice is to treat the blinds as lost chips. Every cycle of hands you should cater that you will be down the Small & Big blind. BUT, be aware of your options where being the small blind is an advantage and make a play to save those chips or better still take down a pot. If you are lucky enough to make a strong hand in blind position then this will be a bonus and a positive effect on your psycie - rather than a negative effect that is caused where you expect to redeem the blind bets regardless of the hand you are dealt.

Remember once the chips have left your stack and are in the pot they are no longer yours - they belong to the pot winner. Simply adding to the pot in a vain effort to 'save' your blinds is a fast way to going broke.

HyZepher

Lafortezza

Is there a website you're getting all this from? Can you post the link and share the wealth?

Hyzepher

nope it's an original from me