small blind bets

In addition to the big blind (BB) mandatory bet in Texas Hold'em, there is the small blind bet (SB). Most of the time, the SB is one-half the amount of the big blind bet, although there are some instances when the small blind bet will be a little less than half.

Now, if you are in the small blind position, you will want to have a betting strategy for when it comes back around to you. The BB betting strategy centers on how to handle a raised pot. But the SB betting strategy centers more on whether or not to see the flop, and how aggressive to be pre-flop if you choose to stay in. This is because you don't have as much money at stake to lose as you do from the BB position. But...you still do have some money at stake, and if you fold quite as often as you normally would from a non-blind position, over time that can add up to a pretty penny's worth of losses.

So, your important decision here is if you want to complete the bet at all (that is if there has been any raising you decide to call the last raise). There will be times to raise, though.

Basically, you will employ a similar tight-aggressive strategy as you should from any other non-BB position. But, as with the BB betting strategy, you will give yourself a tad more leeway because you already have money committed to the pot. Also, after the flop you'll be the first player to start the round of betting, so you are in a disadvantageous position--and the only way to make up for this is to get a little looser when circumstances warrant. In the small blind bet strategy that you employ, you'll want to be hyper-aware of those who are at the table with you. If these players are new to you and you happen to be the first SB position player of the whole game, you should probably just fold with any hand that you wouldn't stay in with from middle or late position. But knowledge of how your opponents play will be the most important consideration you have from the SB position.

But...what if you are at a loose table--one where an average of half the players (or more) see the flop? Well, then, you can loosen up a bit yourself. Just, don't be a maniac, and don't be the loosie-goosie players that you are playing with. Stay tight-aggressive but loosen your standards just a little. For instance, if you have usually fold on any pocket hand where you have less than a 9, go ahead and drop that down to "nothing less than a 7". In addition, be more willing to go in with low pocket pairs--even a pair of deuces.

A couple of basic tips:

Within your small blind bet tight-aggressive play, decide beforehand which starting hands you'll just use for bet completion to stay in to see the flop, such as perhaps Q-8 unsuited. If the pot gets re-raised when you hold one of these hands, fold.

With a pocket Queens or higher, or with two suited connector cards both of which are 10 or higher (such as J-10 hearts), be very aggressive no matter what re-raising goes on--unless you know for a fact that a particular opponent is always tight-aggressive and he keeps on re-raising. In those circumstances, be more cautious.

Exit Small Blind Bet » Texas Holdem Poker