Poker is a fun tabletop casino game widely played all over the world. Due to its popularity, there are a plethora of variations you can choose from, but the most common is the Texas Hold ‘Em Poker. The reason for this is because it is easy to learn, teach and play, but it is difficult to master, which keeps you engaged. Additionally, the betting process in this variation raises the tension of the table. Below is a detailed description to make you understand.
The betting process in Hold ‘Em
Like any other casino game, Hold’em also has a specific betting process players need to follow for an enjoyable and high-stake game round. Moreover, there are two kinds of wagers in Texas Hold ‘Em called ante and blind.
- Ante – The mandatory bet all players need to place.
- Blind – Two forced bets only the two players to the left of the dealer need to place.
The blind bet is a bit more complicated than the previous one since it serves as the starting point of the game. To further elaborate, here are some points that will help you better understand the concept.
What are blind bets
Also known as forced bets, blind bets are placed by the two players to the left of the dealer at the start of the round before the hole cards are dealt.
Small – The person directly to the left of the dealer is responsible to bet half of the full amount.
Big – The next person on the left is compelled to wager twice the amount of the small blind.
Once the blind bets are placed, the dealer begins to give the cards to every player present on the table. Afterwards, the betting round begins, and the person who is on the left side of the big blind can do any of the following:
- Fold – Forfeit the interest in the pot
- Call – Match the amount of the blind bet
- Raise – Increase the betting amount
Why blinds are important
Blinds are compulsory for a reason, and knowing their purpose can help you understand the game better. As such, these bets are forced to prevent all players from folding throughout the game. Furthermore, this serves as the starting amount, which gives you hopes of winning the pot at the end. If the blinds start at a high wager, the game will engage you due to the stakes and odds of winning the pot.
Blinds are not in a favourable position
As much as possible, players avoid the position of the blinds since they believe that it puts you at a disadvantage. Here are the reasons why:
- You are forced to bet more than you need to.
- Your money is on the table before seeing your cards. If the ones you receive later on are bad, you need to work twice as hard to convince people to fold so you can win back your bet and the pot.
- The blind positions, especially small blinds, are the first ones to act, which means everyone can see and predict your actions.
- In the case of small blinds, if the pot is raised pre-flop and you cannot match the amount, the only option you have is to fold
Stealing the blinds
Stealing the blinds is a technique done by the middle and last players to make those in the blinds positions fold during the pre-flop. They do this by raising the stake which then urges the blinds to fold. When this happens, you are robbed of the chance of playing right from the start without the game maturing at a good stake.
Strategies to protect you
Being in the blinds is a difficult position, so the best option you have left is to protect yourself from losing too much money. Here are some strategies you can use:
- Avoid getting attached to the pot
One of the players’ common mistakes is treating the pot as a form of investment due to the number of chips they place. Getting attached to it will only let you focus on winning the prize instead of strategizing. To avoid this, think of the pot as dead money, which means that you can never get it back unless you win.
- Observe the behaviour of the other players
There are different types of players and knowing their behaviour can help you predict their next move. With this, you can devise several movements that can save you from folding.
- Know when to fold
Sometimes, the best option you have is to fold since it prevents you from losing a bunch of money. However, you need to know the best time to do this because there is still a chance where the situation flips in a different direction.
- Avoid calling too much
Calling means to match the wager of other people. Although this is a good way to stay in the game, doing it most of the time without proper thinking will let you lose more than you expect.
Test your skills at Casino Days
Knowing the blind bet meaning is what raises your chances of winning poker. It is better to know more concepts and terms because you get to understand the game in its entirety. So, why not test your newfound skills and knowledge at Casino Days?
Here, you’ll find a lot of poker games and variations that you will like! Most importantly, you can improve your gameplay by playing and studying your movements to see your mistakes here. Other than that, lots of casino games such as slots, roulette and baccarat are available for you here at Casino Days!