The small blind (SB) is the designation for the seat placed directly to the left of the dealer button and directly to the right of the big blind (BB). Additionally, the term small blind signifies the required blind wager that the player occupying this seat has to make before any cards are distributed. Typically, this bet is half the size of the big blind, though there are exceptions.
In this guide, we will explore the following topics -
- What is the reason behind the name 'small blind' in poker?
- Is stealing from the small blind a viable strategy in poker?
- What hands should be considered for an open raise from the small blind?
- How should we respond to open raises while sitting in the small blind?
- What is a good small blind winrate?
- What approach should we take against open raises coming from the small blind?
- Do all types of poker games feature a small blind position?
What’s the Significance of the Term 'Small Blind' in Poker?
The term 'small blind' refers to this position because the player is obligated to contribute the 'small blind' amount before the deal begins. The word small reflects that this bet is typically half that of the big blind, while blind indicates that the chips are placed in the pot without seeing any cards first.
Can a Player Steal from the Small Blind in Poker?
The small blind is regarded as one of the three positions at the table that is favorable for stealing (along with the button and cutoff). If the action folds to the player in the small blind, they merely need to outmaneuver the big blind to claim the pot without contention. This encourages an aggressive approach to stealing. However, the risk lies in the possibility of the big blind deciding to defend their position, which puts the small blind player in a challenging spot postflop.
What Hands Should We Consider When Open Raising from the Small Blind?
While this can vary by game type, a regular cash game player typically open raises about 40% of their starting hands from the cutoff position. This percentage usually represents the top 40% of starting hands based on personal valuation. If the big blind has been folding frequently before the flop, the strategy may shift to open raising all hands from the small blind position.
How Do We React to Open Raises When in the Small Blind?
Our response depends on where the open raiser is situated. If they are positioned at the button or cutoff, we can often take a more aggressive approach and opt to 3-bet (also referred to as restealing ). However, if the opponent is opening from an earlier position, we should adopt a more cautious approach and limit our 3-bets to strong holdings. middle-position Winning rates from the small blind can differ based on the game format. A proficient cash game player generally anticipates a win rate of approximately -15bb/100 hands from this position. It’s important to note that this represents a negative winrate, meaning it is common to incur losses from the small blind as a result of the compulsory blind bets. The main objective in playing from the small blind is to minimize these losses instead of aiming to achieve a profit.
What is a Good Small Blind Winrate?
How Should We Respond to Open Raises from the Small Blind?
When faced with an open raise from the small blind, we find ourselves in the big blind position. This guarantees positional advantage in postflop play, and given that the small blind is likely opening a broad range of hands, an experienced cash game player might choose to cold-call about 35% of the time, while opting to 3-bet 15% of the time against a 3bb small blind open raise.
Do All Varieties of Poker Include a Small Blind Position?
Games with community cards like Hold'em and Omaha, as well as draw variants such as 5-card triple draw, implement a button and blind system. Conversely, various stud poker types use different positional terminologies and do not feature a small blind.
The small blind position is often viewed as one of the less favorable spots at the poker table. Nevertheless, it remains crucial for players to focus on strategies that minimize their losses from this seat. Players should aim to act more aggressively when the action comes their way preflop or when responding to an open raise from later positions. In other situations, a disciplined approach of folding frequently while maintaining a tight range of high-quality hands is recommended.
Final Thoughts
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