Blind in Poker | Meaning & How Blinds Work

A “blind” in poker is a forced bet you or another player must post before any cards are dealt. Blinds always ensure that there is money in the pot, and this prevents everyone from folding endlessly for free without bleeding chips.

The Role of Blinds in Poker

Blinds create action and are considered the backbone of poker’s betting structure. Without them, there would be no incentive to play hands.

• Small blind: The player immediately to the left of the dealer button posts the small blind.
• Big blind: The player two seats left of the dealer button posts the big blind; usually this is double the small blind.
• Rotating responsibility: After each hand, the blinds shift clockwise around the table.
• Forced contribution: Blinds seed the pot and guarantee every hand has chips to play for, therefore creating more action. 
   

This setup means players can’t just wait forever for premium cards; everyone must eventually contribute, and this keeps the game moving.

Small Blind vs. Big Blind

Though both blinds are forced bets, they each play differently once the action begins.

• The small blind is only half the minimum bet (in most games) and acts first after the flop.
• The big blind is a full minimum bet, and it acts last in the preflop betting round.
• The big blind often has the advantage of seeing how the table acts before committing more chips.
• Together, blinds balance fairness by rotating so every player shares the cost throughout the session. 
   

Understanding how blinds function can help you plan your starting hands and positional strategy.

Strategy Around the Blinds

Blinds don’t just start the action; they can also shape your decision-making. Playing them poorly is one of the fastest ways to lose your chips.

• Defend wisely: Don’t feel obligated to play every hand from the blinds; choose your spots carefully.
• Exploit position: Players in late position often steal blinds with raises; make sure to fight back selectively.
• Bankroll impact: Blinds can eat into your stack over time, especially in tournaments, so adjust your ranges according to your stack size.
• ICM factor: In tournament play, increasing blinds force shorter stacks to act before they bleed out. 
   

By understanding and adapting to blind play, you’ll protect your stack and spot profitable opportunities and most importantly, see more hands.

FAQs

What’s the difference between the small blind and big blind? 
The small blind is usually half the minimum bet and acts first postflop, and the big blind is usually the full minimum bet and acts last preflop.

Do blinds increase in all poker formats? 
In tournaments, the blinds rise over time to speed up play. In cash games, blinds usually stay fixed unless you switch tables or stakes.

What does “blind steal” mean? 
A blind steal happens when a player raises preflop, intending to win the blinds uncontested, often from late position on the table.