In button games, a non-playing dealer normally does
the actual dealing. A round disk called the button is
used to indicate which player has the dealer position
. The player with the button is last to receive cards
on the initial deal and has the right of last action after
the first betting round. The button moves clockwise after
a deal ends to rotate the advantage of last action. One
or more blind bets are usually used to stimulate action
and initiate play. Blinds are posted before the players
look at their cards. Blinds are part of a player’s
bet , unless the structure of a game or the situation
requires part or all of a particular blind to be “dead.”
Dead chips are not part of a player’s bet . With
two blinds, the small blind is posted by the player immediately
clockwise from the button, and the big blind is posted
by the player two positions clockwise from the button.
With more than two blinds, the little blind is normally
left of the button (not on it). action is initiated on
the first betting round by the first player to the left
of the blinds. On all subsequent betting rounds, the action
begins with the first active player to the left of the
button.
RULES FOR USING BLINDS
1. The minimum bring-in and allowable raise sizes for
the opener are specified by the poker form used and blind
amounts set for a game. They remain the same even when
the player in the blind does not have enough chips to
post the full amount.
2. Each round every player must get an opportunity for
the button, and meet the total amount of the blind obligations.
Either of the following methods of button and blind placement
may be designated to do this:
(a) Moving button – The button always moves forward
to the next player and the blinds adjust accordingly.
There may be more than one big blind .
(b) Dead button – The big blind is posted by the
player due for it, and the small blind and button are
positioned accordingly, even if this means the small blind
or the button is placed in front of an empty seat, giving
the same player the privilege of last action on consecutive
hands.
[See “Section 16 – Explanations,”
discussion #1, for more information on this rule.]
3. A player who posts a blind has the option of raising
the pot at the first turn to act. (This does not apply
when a "dead blind" for the collection is used
in a game and has been posted).
4. In heads-up play with two blinds, the small blind
is on the button.
5. A new player entering the game has the following
options:
(a) Wait for the big blind .
(b) Post an amount equal to the big blind and immediately
be dealt a hand. (In lowball, a new player must either
post an amount double the big blind or wait for the big
blind .)
6. A new player who elects to let the button go by once
without posting is not treated as a player in the game
who has missed a blind, and needs to post only the big
blind when entering the game.
7. A person playing over is considered a new player,
and must post the amount of the big blind or wait for
the big blind .
8. A new player cannot be dealt in between the big blind
and the button. Blinds may not be made up between the
big blind and the button. You must wait until the button
passes. [See “Section 16 – Explanations,”
discussion #3, for more information on this rule.]
9. When you post the big blind , it serves as your opening
bet . When it is your next turn to act, you have the option
to raise .
10. A player who misses any or all blinds can resume
play by either posting all the blinds missed or waiting
for the big blind . If you choose to post the total amount
of the blinds, an amount up to the size of the minimum
opening bet is live. The remainder is taken by the dealer
to the center of the pot and is not part of your bet .
When it is your next turn to act, you have the option
to raise .
11. If a player who owes a blind (as a result of a missed
blind) is dealt in without posting, the hand is dead if
the player looks at it before putting up the required
chips, and has not yet acted. If the player acts on the
hand and plays it, putting chips into the pot before the
error is discovered, the hand is live, and the player
is required to post on the next deal.
12. A player who goes all-in and loses is obligated
to make up the blinds if they are missed before a rebuy
is made. (The person is not treated as a new player when
reentering.)
13. These rules about blinds apply to a newly started
game:
(a) Any player who drew for the button is considered
active in the game and is required to make up any missed
blinds.
(b) A new player will not be required to post a blind
until the button has made one complete revolution around
the table, provided a blind has not yet passed that seat.
(c) A player may change seats without penalty, provided
a blind has not yet passed the new seat.
14. In all multiple-blind games, a player who changes
seats will be dealt in on the first available hand in
the same relative position . Example: If you move two
active positions away from the big blind , you must wait
two hands before being dealt in again. If you move closer
to the big blind , you can be dealt in without any penalty.
If you do not wish to wait and have not yet missed a blind,
then you can post an amount equal to the big blind and
receive a hand. (Exception: At lowball you must kill the
pot, wait for the same relative position , or wait for
the big blind ; see “Section 11 – Lowball,”
rule #7.)
15. A player who "deals off" (by playing the
button and then immediately getting up to change seats)
can allow the blinds to pass the new seat one time and
reenter the game behind the button without having to post
a blind.
16. A live “straddle bet " is not allowed
at limit poker except in specified games.
