What is the Small Blind in Poker?

The small blind is the forced bet posted by the player immediately to the left of the dealer button. It is typically half the size of the big blind, though some structures use a different ratio. The small blind acts first before the flop and last after the flop. This position is often the most awkward at the table because you are forced to put money in with a random hand, but you get a discount to see the flop.

What the small blind is and is not

The small blind is a forced bet, not a voluntary wager. It is part of the pot before any cards are dealt. The small blind is not a raise; it is a blind that starts the betting action. It is also not the same as the big blind, which is a full bet and acts last preflop. The small blind is not a position of strength; it is a position of disadvantage because you act first on every postflop street.

How this seat plays the hand

The small blind plays differently depending on whether the pot is unopened, there is a limper, or there is a raise. When the action folds to you, you have a choice: complete the small blind, raise, or fold. Completing is calling the big blind, which costs you only half a big blind more. Raising from the small blind is often done with strong hands or as a bluff to steal the blinds. Folding is always an option, even though you already put in half a big blind.

When there is a limper, you can complete, raise, or fold. Raising from the small blind against a limper is a common way to isolate, but you must be careful because the big blind still has to act. When there is a raise, you can call, re-raise, or fold. Calling from the small blind is often discouraged because you will be out of position for the rest of the hand.

Sizing and ranges

Your opening range from the small blind should be wider than from the big blind because you get a discount. However, you must be cautious because the big blind can still raise behind you. A typical approach is to open with a raise to 3 big blinds plus one big blind for each limper. For example, if the blinds are 100/200 and there is one limper, you might raise to 800. Completing is usually done with hands that can flop well but are not strong enough to raise, such as suited connectors or small pairs.

Who acts and from which seat

The small blind sits immediately left of the dealer button. The big blind sits left of the small blind. Preflop, the small blind acts first after the cards are dealt, before the big blind. Postflop, the small blind acts first on every street because the player in the small blind is the first active player to the left of the button. This means you are out of position for the entire hand unless you are heads-up against the big blind, in which case you are still out of position.

A worked example and a counter-example

Example: Blinds are 50/100. You are in the small blind with 7♠8♠. Everyone folds to you. You decide to complete, putting in 50 more to call the big blind. The big blind checks. The flop comes 6♠9♠2♣. You have a flush draw and a straight draw. You can lead out with a bet or check-raise. This is a good spot to play because you have a strong draw and you are out of position, so you want to build the pot or take it down.

Counter-example: Blinds are 50/100. You are in the small blind with K♣2♦. Everyone folds to you. You decide to complete. The big blind checks. The flop comes A♠7♥3♦. You have nothing. You check, and the big blind bets. You fold. You wasted half a big blind on a hand that has almost no equity. This is a leak because you should have folded preflop. Completing with weak offsuit hands is a common mistake.

When not to use the small blind discount

Do not complete with hands that are easily dominated, such as K2o, Q7o, or J5o. These hands rarely flop well and you will be out of position. Do not complete with hands that are too weak to play even with a discount. Also, do not complete if the big blind is aggressive and raises often, because you will be forced to fold too often. Finally, do not complete if you are short-stacked and need to preserve chips for a better spot.

The next decision after the small blind

After you complete and see the flop, your next decision is whether to check or bet. Since you are out of position, you should generally check your weak hands and bet your strong hands or draws. If the big blind bets, you must decide whether to call, raise, or fold. If you raised preflop, your next decision is to continuation bet or check on the flop. If you folded preflop, your next decision is to wait for the next hand.

Leaks on this seat

• Completing with too many weak hands: You are not obligated to play just because you have a discount. Fold trash like K2o or Q7o.
• Raising too small from the small blind: If you raise to only 2x, you give the big blind great odds to call. Use a standard 3x plus limpers.
• Calling raises too often: You will be out of position, so you need a strong hand or a good draw to call a raise from the small blind.
• Not defending your blind enough: While you should fold weak hands, you also need to defend with playable hands to avoid being exploited. Balance your folds and raises.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the small blind half the big blind?

In most poker games, the small blind is half the big blind to create a pot and force action. This ratio is standard in cash games and tournaments, though some tournaments use a different structure.

Do I have to put in the small blind every hand?

Yes, the small blind is a forced bet that you must post every time the button passes you. It is not optional, but you can fold after posting it.

Is the small blind a good position?

No, the small blind is generally considered the worst position because you act first on every postflop street. You are out of position, which puts you at a disadvantage.

Can I raise from the small blind?

Yes, you can raise from the small blind. When action folds to you, you can raise to steal the blinds or to build a pot with a strong hand. Raising is often better than completing with strong hands.