Strategies To Use When You Are On Big Blind

It takes years of practice and style-building to become a seasoned player, and that takes a lot of commitment from you. Poker also happens to be a game of patience, which means that you need to stay in the game, and keep your cool without getting flustered about the quick changes that happen with every round to even survive the game. 

The most fun part about poker is the wide range of varieties of the game that are played around the world and so, in the Indian poker championship as well. If you download poker game on your mobile phone, you will realise that there are several different options to choose from - types of games (Texas hold’em, Omaha hold’em, Omaha 8 etc.) and a variety of betting options - like big blind, small blind. And you’re left with way too many options to make a decision. 

This article is about the big blind position, which statistically, is the riskiest position at the poker table where players lose the most that you might end up in games such as Texas Hold’em, and some insight into what strategies can help you make most winnings in such a game. Let’s dive right into it! 

What is a big blind? 

A big blind is a mandatory bet that is considered in types of poker without typical antes. In the Indian poker championship, it is contributed to the pool by the player that sits two seats to the left of the dealer or the dealer button, in the case of online games. Post this, the player beside the first player - ie. sitting at one seat to the left of the dealer pays the small blind - which is typically half the big blind’s amount. 

The blind position is considered the worst position to play, guaranteeing that the players in these positions lose. This isn’t just an opinion, but a fact found from the analysis of thousands of games - showing that the big blind and small blind are the positions where players lose the most. However, all is not lost. It doesn’t mean that when you find yourself playing in a blind position, you must lose all hope. 

What you should however do, is strategically improve. 

What strategies to remember in a big blind bet? 

Let go of your ego: One of the main reasons why players in these positions lose is that they’re egoistic about giving away their blinds, often playing with an attitude that the opponent is here to ‘steal’ their chips. The fact that you’re forced to throw chips into the middle, puts you in a spot where you feel a need to play the hand. We recommend - that you do not. The blinds are no longer yours really, and you should only consider them as a fee for playing on that table. 

Don’t be in denial: Remember this is an unfavorable position. Even if a straight draw comes in, it could mean that your opponent is holding a higher hand. Therefore, the best way to approach your situation is to raise or call only when holding an extremely strong hand. If the hand is weak, we would recommend that you fold and wait to take part in the next game. 

Do not defend the big blind: It’s difficult to defend a big blind in poker well, unless you are an extremely seasoned player who has instantly figured all the opponents’ gameplay. Sometimes, in the first few rounds, if you hold a hand that you are confident can catch a good flop, it may be worth it. But once the blinds are higher you’ll find that it is rarely worth defending. 

Raise with extreme caution: When in a big blind, be selective about what you raise with. Remember, it is only the second worst position (after the flop) - which means that the only opponent play that will even let you get away with a winning is that of a flop. If you have a bad hand however, don’t wait too long before getting rid of it. 

As a game of strategy, planning and skill - poker beats every other card game in the amount of tension it puts you through, the varieties and the instant changes that can happen to a game, even if you lose your concentration for a minute. When you download poker game, on your mobile and play a few games, you’ll realise that it is not always only about winning, in poker. The game is also about how well you are able to reduce your losses - and the big blind position is one such situation where reducing your losses is the best strategy you can employ. 

We wish you luck for your next game of poker at the Indian poker championship! Have fun playing!

Report this Page