SB Fold to Steal

Overview

SB Fold to Steal is a poker statistic, commonly found in HUDs (Heads-Up Displays), that measures how often the small blind folds when facing a raise from late position (generally the button or cutoff) in unopened pots. It is expressed as a percentage and is a key indicator of a player's defensive strategy from the small blind.

Calculation

The stat is calculated as:

[SB Fold to Steal](/term/sb-fold-to-steal) = (Number of times SB folds to a [steal](/term/steal) [raise](/term/raise)) / (Total number of opportunities to face a [steal](/term/steal) raise when in the SB)

Only hands where the small blind has not already entered the pot voluntarily and faces a single raise from late position are counted. If the small blind three-bets or calls, that hand is not recorded as a fold.

Interpretation

• High SB Fold to Steal (e.g., >80%): The player rarely defends their small blind against steal attempts. This can be exploited by opponents who will increase their stealing frequency, as they can profitably open a wide range from late position.
• Low SB Fold to Steal (e.g., <60%): The player defends aggressively, often calling or three-betting. Opponents may tighten their stealing range or adjust by four-betting more often.

Strategic Implications

From the perspective of the late-position raiser (the “stealer”), a high SB Fold to Steal makes stealing more profitable because there is less resistance. Conversely, a low SB Fold to Steal means the stealer should be prepared to face defenses and may need to adjust post-flop play.

For the small blind player, understanding one's own Fold to Steal stat helps balance defense. A balanced approach might involve folding weak hands, calling with speculative hands that play well post-flop (e.g., suited connectors), and three-betting polarized ranges to deny equity. Over-folding invites exploitation, while over-defending can lead to playing out of position with marginal hands.

Related Statistics

• Big Blind Fold to Steal: Similar stat for the big blind when facing a steal from late position. The big blind usually defends more widely due to better pot odds and position on the stealer.
• SB 3-Bet vs Steal: The frequency with which the small blind three-bets a steal raise, indicating an aggressive defense.
• Steal: The percentage of times a player raises when first in from late position (button or cutoff) when action folds to them.

Context Considerations

• Stack sizes: Short stacks may have different optimal fold frequencies (e.g., due to ICM in tournaments).
• Opponent tendencies: A player with a high SB Fold to Steal might be targeted more often, while a low one might face fewer steals.
• Game type: In tournaments, defending the small blind can be chip-utility dependent; in cash games, it's purely based on expected value.

Conclusion

SB Fold to Steal is a crucial stat for identifying leaks in blind defense. Players can use it to adjust their own game and exploit opponents. By balancing folds, calls, and raises from the small blind, one can prevent being overrun by aggressive stealers.