Texas Holdem Poker Tips: Playing in the Big Blind

Texas Holdem, Table Position
September 2 2008

Many players do not play the big blind position well while playing Texas Holdem. Many have the attitude that they have already committed some chips to the hand, so they will play just about any two cards. This leads to situations where you’re up against the best hand at the table every time you play. The blinds are there to force action out of players in the worst positions; don’t let this rule dictate your decisions.

Playing a hand out of the big blind puts you at a positional disadvantage against every opponent at the table except the small blind. That means you should only play premium hands to a raise. The only exception would be a button raise from an opponent who is continuously trying to steal your blind when no one else has shown interest in the hand. If you have an opponent like this, you can get into hands against them with a queen or higher in your hand and hope that you hit a piece of the flop when it comes.

If your opponents have only flat-called the blind then it’s fine to see a flop. This situation also presents the opportunity to put in a raise of your own, regardless of your hand. Limpers can be pushed off pots with a raise because you’re raising out of a bad position, and you’ll likely get credit for it. When you have a premium hand you can either raise if you think you’ll get action, or slow-play by seeing a flop and check-raising any bet that may come at you. Just consider the texture of the flop and be confident that you have the lead if you bet.

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