Small Blind

By Reggie VelJohnson

Tips on playing the small blind.

Apparently, talking about the small blind in Texas Hold’em just isn’t sexy enough for most poker strategists since they often avoid discussing the position altogether. So that’s why we’re going to discuss it here.

The biggest issue with most people in the small blind is that they don’t see the harm in completing the big blind by limping in. Unfortunately, you’re only setting yourself up for failure by doing this because you’ll be the first person to act after the flop. And if you limped in with a hand like 10-6 unsuited, about the only thing you can hope for is a two pair or inside straight draw.

Essentially, you’ll be wasting chips to see a flop that’s probably not going to bring positive results. That being said, you can shorten up your starting hand requirements a little bit in the small blind if everyone else has limped in. Just don’t do it every time.