Auto Post

Overview

Auto Post is a common rule in live poker rooms, particularly in cash games. It streamlines game flow by ensuring that a player who misses their blinds (e.g., joining after the game has started, returning from a break, or being moved to a new table) immediately posts a blind—typically the big blind—so they can be dealt into the next hand without waiting for the blinds to rotate to them.

How It Works

• When a player arrives at a table after the game has begun, the floor or dealer may enforce an Auto Post. The player places the big blind (or a smaller amount in some rooms) into the pot before the cards are dealt.
• In some casinos, the player may have the option to “take a hand off” (skip the hand) if they do not wish to post, but they must wait until the button passes to be dealt in normally.
• The posted blind is considered “live,” meaning the player has the same rights as any other blind (e.g., they can raise if action gets to them preflop). However, if the player posts from a position other than the big blind, the blind may be “dead” (not contested) in some rooms.

Strategic Implications

• Position Disadvantage: Posting from early position (e.g., under the gun or in the cutoff) is generally unfavorable because the player has already contributed money to the pot without seeing their cards and will act before the button. Skilled players often choose to wait rather than auto post from a bad seat.
• When to Post: If the big blind is about to reach the player naturally (i.e., the button is close), it may be better to wait. Conversely, if the table is tight and the player has a good image, posting from late position might be acceptable.
• Dead vs. Live Blinds: Some rooms treat an auto-posted blind as “dead” if it is not in the proper big blind position, meaning the player does not get an option to raise preflop unless the blind is live. This affects preflop strategy.

House Rules Variation

• Mandatory vs. Optional: Some cardrooms require Auto Post for all missed blinds; others let the player choose.
• Small Blind Posting: In some rooms, a player must post both small and big blinds if they missed both; others only require the big blind.

Related Terms

• Missed Blind: The situation when a player is not at the table to post their blind.
• Dead Blind: A blind that is not considered a live raise option, often when posted out of position.
• Live Blind: A blind that gives the player full rights to raise if action folds to them.