Updated on August 23, 2023
This strategic guide outlines our approach to playing from the Big Blind position. We will use examples from NLHE, but the principles can apply to other game types as well. cash games Let’s briefly revisit the essential characteristics of the Big Blind. poker tournaments or PLO .
We are compelled to commit one big blind before we even see our hole cards. big blind :
- In most scenarios, we 'complete the action' preflop. Refer to the section titled 'closing the action' for more information. hole cards .
- We make our move last before the flop, yet usually act first after the flop unless we're facing the small blind.
- The requirement to put in a big blind without knowing our cards presents a notable disadvantage. However, it does provide us with a sort of discount for making any preflop calls.
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The Big Blind – An Overview
This means that to continue to the flop, we only need to add another 2 big blinds. cold call . For example, if we face a 3bb open-raise Whether we 'complete the action' in the Big Blind relies on the preceding actions taken during the round. flop .
Closing the Action
For instance, if a player opens the betting and all others either call or fold, we’re assured of seeing a flop if we choose to cold call from the Big Blind.
Yet, if there’s an initial raise followed by a re-raise, it implies that someone will act after us preflop, so we can’t claim to ‘close the action’.
The guarantee that we will see a flop when we are ‘closing the action’ encourages players to adopt a more aggressive strategy in the Big Blind. limp To sum up our strategic focus when we are in the Big Blind, we can say this:
We’re more inclined to cold call in this position than in any other. cold-calling The suggested average frequency for cold calling is: Around 26%
(Keep in mind that these statistics consider various open-raise sizes)
Strategic Outlook in the BB
Let’s explore some examples of defending from the Big Blind in a 100 big blind NLHE setup.
Stats:
- It's important to note that memorizing exact hand combinations isn't crucial; instead, we should develop a general understanding of how wide our calling range should be in different situations.
- Recommended average 3bet frequency: Around 8%
The sample hand range provided is for defending against a 3 big blind open-raise from the button. If the button raises less, we should expand our calling range; more on that to come. It’s worth mentioning that our 3-betting range is primarily composed of high-equity hands because players tend to call too often against 3-bets.
Sample Ranges From the BIG BLIND
The key difference here is clear. Our defense from the Big Blind is tighter when we respond to opens from earlier positions. hand ranges When facing a raise from the small blind, we benefit from the positional advantage. cash game This allows us to defend a broader selection of hands against the small blind compared to the button.
BB Defence vs BTN Open
- Purple: Re-raise (3bet) range
- Blue: Cold calling range
It’s vital to remember that the suggested hand ranges should be viewed as guidelines rather than strict rules. In practice, we will need to adjust these defending ranges based on various factors. A solid grasp of these factors will enable us to make informed decisions in real-time. re-raise Opponent’s betting size – The greater the size of our opponent’s open-raise, the tighter our defense should be.
BB Defence vs Lojack Open
- Purple: Re-raise (3bet) range
- Blue: Cold calling range
Positional dynamics – The later our opponent acts, the wider we can afford to defend.
BB Defence vs SB Open
- Purple: Re-raise (3bet) range
- Blue: Cold calling range
Player tendencies – For example, if our opponent folds frequently to 3-bets, we should be more aggressive with our own. postflop – This scenario occurs when we decide to raise from the Big Blind against either an open-limp or a small blind complete. In the case of a small blind complete, we can afford to play aggressively, potentially raising with about 50% of hands, given that the small blind will likely not have a very strong hand and we’ll have positional advantage postflop.
Relevant Adjustments
When we encounter an open-limp from other positions (like the button), we need to adopt a far more cautious strategy, generally only raising with strong hands. Holding a tighter range is essential for playing profitably out of position.
- Additionally, even if we do not isolate with a raise, we can still check back and see a free flop.
- * Iso-raise – A preflop raise made against a limping player.
- Overcalling/Squeezing – These terms refer to scenarios involving three players. When faced with two opponents, our preference leans towards 3-betting with hands that have potential for strong combinations, particularly suited or connected cards.
- Villain skill - If our opponent is a bad poker player , we can generally play more hands.
Other Scenarios
- Iso-Raising * Overcall – This is defined as making a call after one player has already called in the current betting round.
* Squeeze – A term for a 3-bet made after there has already been at least one call in response to an open raise. iso-raising For context, here's an example of what a squeezing range from the Big Blind might look like against a button open and a small blind call.
We acknowledge that the Big Blind position presents its own challenges alongside distinctive strategic advantages. While it’s a setback to commit a big blind before seeing our cards, it’s equally important to understand that we essentially get a discount on any preflop cold call. Consequently, facing a 3 big blind raise, we only need to put in an extra 2 big blinds to proceed to the flop.
In summary, playing from the Big Blind requires a thoughtful strategic mindset. We need to be aware of the context of the game, tailoring our strategy based on the behaviors of our opponents and their table positions. By honing our understanding of the nuanced dynamics of the Big Blind, we can make smarter decisions that will ultimately enhance our overall performance.
- Keep in mind that while the specifics may differ between No-Limit Hold'em cash games and other formats, the underlying strategies shared in this guide can significantly improve your game across various scenarios, such as tournaments and Pot-Limit Omaha. Therefore, keep refining your skills and developing your approach to the Big Blind position to optimize your success at the tables. squeeze ) a tighter range and weight our calls ( or Timothy 'Ch0r0r0' Allin is a professional player, coach, and author. Since he began in 2006, he has grown his bankroll from the ground up without ever depositing funds. After competing in some of the world's most competitive tournaments and achieving success, he now shares his strategies and insights in the 888poker magazine.
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Sample Ranges From the BIG BLIND
