The ‘big blind’ is the larger of the two blinds used in a Hold’em game of poker. It is the compulsory bet made by the player seated two to the left of the dealer button.
In poker, the “big blind” is a mandatory bet or forced wager that is typically placed by the player sitting two positions to the left of the dealer button in games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha. The big blind is one of the two forced bets that initiate the action and contribute to the pot before any cards are dealt. The player in the big blind position is usually the last to act before the flop and acts second-to-last after the flop, turn, and river.
What is the big blind in poker?
Here’s how the big blind works in poker:
- Dealer Button: In most poker games, a small circular disc called the “dealer button” rotates clockwise around the table after each hand, indicating the virtual dealer position. The player with the dealer button is not necessarily the actual dealer but has the advantage of acting last in each betting round.
- Small Blind and Big Blind: Two players sitting to the left of the dealer button post the small blind and the big blind, respectively. The player immediately to the left of the button posts the small blind, which is typically half the minimum bet for the hand. The player two positions to the left of the button posts the big blind, which is equal to the minimum bet for the hand.
- Betting Rounds: After the blinds are posted, the dealer deals two hole cards face down to each player, and a series of betting rounds ensue. Betting typically starts with the player to the left of the big blind.
- Flop, Turn, and River: After the first round of betting, the dealer reveals three community cards known as the “flop.” Subsequent rounds of betting follow with the “turn” and the “river,” each consisting of one additional community card being revealed.
- Post-Flop Betting: After the flop, the player in the big blind position acts second-to-last in each betting round. The player in the small blind position acts first post-flop.
- Showdown: If more than one player remains after the final betting round, a showdown occurs, and the best five-card poker hand wins the pot.
The big blind serves the dual purpose of starting the action in each hand and building the pot, which encourages betting and creates opportunities for strategic play. In most cases, the big blind is a forced bet, meaning the player in that position is required to contribute to the pot regardless of their hand. However, they do have the option to raise if there have been no raises before them in the betting round.