Blinds And The Dealer Button

THEORY BEHIND BLIND RULES

As noted in earlier in Caro & Cooke's Rules, blind bets are a way of initiating action in games where none of a player's cards are exposed, most commonly used in Draw and Hold'em games. In games using blinds, action is initiated by the first player to the left of the last blind, who must call, raise or fold. On all subsequent betting rounds action begins with the first active player to the left of the button. Rules relative to blinds and the dealer button are complicated and varied, because they are designed to achieve different, sometimes inconsistent purposes. One of the purposes of blind bets is to induce action from early-position players, who with money already committed to the pot are more likely to compete for the pot even though poker strategy might indicate they should fold most hands in early position. This element of inducing action is a major theoretical underpinning of the idea of blinds. The rules are also designed to protect against angle-shooters who make moves to avoid their blinds; to protect regular players against those who take shots. Button and blind rules also weigh the unfairness of people missing blinds against positional advantage and disadvantage. Because of all these variables, rules relating to blinds and the dealer button have evolved into a very convoluted, contorted exercise. While trying to induce action and adhere to the fundamental poker principles of efficiency and simplicity, fairness is the most important guiding principle and takes precedence.

The principal philosophies of blind rules--each of which has variations--are the "No Missed Blind" philosophy and the "No Dead Button" Philosophy. The first focuses on the idea that all players must meet all their blind obligations for each round they play. The second emphasizes that the button should always move forward to maximize positional fairness, and that blinds be adjusted accordingly, so that no player should get the button twice in a row and players should have to act under the gun twice in a row as little as possible. The "No Missed Blind" philosophy tends to prevail in Las Vegas. The "No Dead Button" philosophy tends to prevail in California. Caro & Cooke's Rules tries to blend the best features of each, with an emphasis toward the No Dead Button philosophy, because that philosophy favors circumstances relating to the game. Because the two blind system is most commonly used, all examples in this Article will be based on the use of two blinds, a small (a.k.a. little) blind and a big blind, posted to the left of the button. However the rules shall be adapted to accommodate house rules which provide for either one blind or three blinds, whether posted to the left of the button, on the button or behind the button, in limit, pot-limit, spread-limit and no-limit games, as delineated in the rules.

Since all players still in competition always get a hand in tournaments, regardless of whether they are at the table, there are special rules for blinds in tournaments. See proposed rules relating to tournaments in the Appendices for more details.

LIMIT BLIND STRUCTURE

Blinds shall be arranged in clockwise order from the button. (NOTE: Some establishments have a blind posted on the button, and this shall be permitted when the house rules expressly provide for it.) The number and placement of blinds is not an appropriate subject for rules, but should be determined by each house in its best business wisdom. The normal blind structure for limit games is that two blinds shall be posted, a small blind by the player first after the button in clockwise rotation and a large blind posted by the player second from the button. The large blind shall be equal to a full small bet in limit games. The small blind may be anywhere from one-third of a small bet to two-thirds of a small bet, and is most commonly one half of a small bet. In some games house rules provide that two large blinds shall be posted. Suggested blind structures for different games and limits are set forth at Appendix A.

POT-LIMIT AND NO-LIMIT BLIND STRUCTURE

The normal blind structure for pot-limit and no-limit play is three blinds with the smallest blind generally (but not always) on the button and the other two blinds under the gun, however as noted earlier blind structures may vary from establishment-to-establishment, especially in pot-limit and no-limit games. The principles are the same as in limit poker. A player who misses his blinds in pot-limit and no-limit poker shall be required to post only the big blind when returning to the table. (Alternate Rule. As in other games played with blinds, an player who misses the blinds shall post all blinds missed when re-entering the game, or else wait for his turn to post the big blind in turn before receiving a hand.) An important distinction in pot limit and no limit is that a player may post his missed blind between the big and small blind or between the small blind and the button, however in this case he shall not receive a hand on the button; when it is his turn to have the button it shall pass to the player to his left who shall, if appropriate, post a blind on the button.

NO DEAD BUTTON

Whenever possible no player shall have the privilege of last action on two consecutive hands or the burden of first action on two consecutive hands, so the button shall always be moved forward after each hand to a position in front of an active player. A dead button--effectively giving a player the benefit of last action on two consecutive hands--shall not be permitted. It will sometimes be necessary for a blind to be posted on the button and/or an additional blind to be posted because of this rule, as hereinafter discussed. (Alternate Rule. .....)

POSTING BLINDS

Except where it would cause a conflict with the prior rule prohibiting dead buttons, all blinds must be posted by all players receiving hands on each round of play.

In the normal course of play all players shall post their blinds in turn. Most players elect to leave the game either temporarily or permanently in a position when it is their turn to post the big blind. If a player leaves the game temporarily (meaning that he has left chips on the table, indicating an intention to return to the game), the dealer shall give the player a Missed Blind button (See the Caro & Cooke's Rules relating to house buttons.) If the player departs permanently (meaning that he picks up his chips indicating that he is not returning to the game) the dealer shall place a lock-up button in the seat of the departing player. In either case the dealer button advances as it would otherwise, and the active player immediately to the left of the player who just left the table posts the big blind, with the player to the right of the player who just left the table posting the small blind, and the game proceeds with all players receiving their hands in turn, having posted their blinds when they should, with no player having the positional advantage of last action twice in a row.

MAKING UP BLINDS

A player who has departed the game temporarily, missing his blinds, and then returned must post all missed blinds before receiving a hand, or wait until it is his turn to post the big blind. He shall not be dealt a hand until he has made up his blinds. A player returning to the table after an absence where he has missed his blinds shall have four choices: 1) he may wait until it is his turn to post the big blind, whereupon he shall post in the normal course of play, receive a hand and resume play; 2) he may immediately post an amount equal to the large and small blinds, whereupon he shall receive a hand and resume play. In this case the large blind is live, just as any other big blind would be, however the amount equal to the small blind is dead, and shall be placed in the center of the pot. In this case the player shall have all the same choices of action as a player posting his big blind in the normal position; 3) he may wait until the blinds and button pass hum, whereupon he shall post an amount equal to the big and small blinds behind the button, with the amount of the big blind being live and the amount of the small blind being dead, just as in the previous scenario; 4) he may straddle in the under-the-gun position. Make-up blinds shall not be posted between the big blind and the small blind or between the small blind and the button or on the button. They shall be made up in any other position ranging from under the gun to behind the button. A player who has missed his big blind may not enter the game until the button has passed him, so that he cannot miss his big blind and receive a hand on his small blind only or on the button. There is thus never a situation where a player has missed only his big blind. A player who elects to post must put up his big and small blinds when they come to him in the normal course of the game. If a player has returned to the table and not posted his blinds but he has been dealt a hand, if he has looked at any of his cards or if there has been action the hand is dead. If he has not looked at any of his cards and there has been no action when the error is discovered he may elect whether or not to post. If he elects not to post then his hand is dead, and further he shall not have the opportunity to post until the big blind comes to him. Whenever a player returns to the table after missing blinds, the dealer shall ask him if he chooses to post or to wait.

ADJUSTING BLINDS FOR PLAYERS WHO LEAVE ON THEIR SMALL BLIND

Occasionally a player pays his big blind and then either temporarily or permanently leaves the game when it is his turn to post the small blind. If a player does not post his small blind and has temporarily left the table he shall get a missed little blind button. If he has permanently left the table a lock-up button shall be placed in his seat. In this case there shall be a dead small blind for that hand. (Or advance per California rules) On the subsequent hand the dealer button shall be advanced through the seat of the player who has missed his small blind, and the player whose turn it is to post the small blind shall post it on the button, to avoid a dead button.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Whenever a player leaves on his small blind, it inherently creates an advantage for another player at the table. If the No Missed Blinds philosophy is adhered to, the button is advanced to a vacant seat and the player who just had the button gets the benefit of last action two hands in a row. If the No Dead Button philosophy is adhered to, then the player who posted only a small blind instead of a small blind and a big blind for that round of play gets a round of hands at a discount. In weighing all issues, Caro & Cooke's Rules has opted for the No Dead Button philosophy, as the benefit of last action is deemed to have greater potential value than the discounted blinds. (Alternate Rule. If a player misses his small blind there shall be a dead blind for that hand and the button shall be advanced to the empty seat on the subsequent hand. This is the prevailing rule in Las Vegas.)

ADJUSTING BLINDS FOR PLAYERS WHO LEAVE ON THEIR BUTTON

If a player has paid his big and small blinds and then leaves the game , either temporarily or permanently, on the hand where he would have had the button, then the button shall be advanced through that player's seat to the seat of the player who has the small blind, who shall have both the button and the obligation to post the small blind for that hand. Two big blinds shall then be posted by the players under the gun. If the player with the button is not at the table at he commencement of the deal, and has not told the dealer to give him a hand, then the button shall be so advanced after the shuffle and cut and before the first card is dealt. Once the first card is dealt the player who would have had the button returning to the table cannot be dealt in for that hand, and must wait until the next hand, having forfeited his button hand. On the subsequent hand the button shall be advanced, the player on the button shall post a small blind, the player to the immediate left of the button shall post a small blind and the player two to the left of the button shall post a big blind. The following hand the blind situation returns to normal. This procedure prevents a player from having the privilege of last action for two hands in a row or the burden of acting under the gun two hands in a row.

BLINDS ARE LIVE

A player who posts a blind shall have the option of raising the pot when the action comes to him, regardless of whether the pot has already been raised, unless the betting for the initial round is already capped. If the player who posted the blind is facing action when it is his turn to act he may raise, call or fold. If he raises or calls, the amount posted in the blind shall count as a part of the player's bet.

HEAD'S UP

In head's-up play, the small blind shall be posted by the player with the button and the large blind by the other player. The player who does not have the button shall be dealt the first card, and shall be the first to act on all betting rounds except the initial round. On the initial betting round, because the big blind in effect has already acted, the player on the button who has posted the small blind shall be first to act.

NEW PLAYERS

A new player entering the game has three choices posting blinds for his initial round of play: 1) post a big blind immediately; 2) Wait until it would be his turn to post the big blind; 3) Wait until the button has passed and post a big blind behind the button. If he does not post by the time the button has passed him then he shall be picked up and his seat given to the next person waiting on the list. If there is no list he shall be given a missed blind button AND a player absent button. A new player shall not receive a hand under any circumstances between the blinds, or on the button, or on the small blind. Once a player has put his chips on the table, or otherwise locked up a seat in the game according to the House Rules...... ????? If a new player elects to post a blind in lieu of waiting for the big blind to come to his seat, the blind serves as the player's opening bet. When it is that player's turn to act he can either call the action--in which case he is already in--or raise. If he is facing a raise, he can call, fold, or re-raise, but in any case the blind he has posted counts as part of his bet, just as any other big blind does. (RC: What about Lock-ups?)

NEW GAME

Once the first hand of a new game has been dealt, any player entering the game shall be required to address blinds the same as new player entering any other game, although some houses for a set period allow a new player in a new game to receive a free hand behind the button until the game fills. See Caro & Cooke's Rules relating to the start of new games for more details.

SHORT-HANDED GAMES

When there are five or fewer players in a hold em game, four or fewer players in a draw game, a new player entering the game shall not be required to post his blinds, but shall get a free hand in his seat. He may take a hand immediately without posting, wait for the big blind and post in the normal course of play, or wait for the blinds and button to pass and post a big blind only behind the button. (Alternate Rule. There shall be no differentiation between short-handed games and full games insofar as a new player posting blinds is concerned.)

STRADDLES & SLEEPERS

A player may elect to post an extra voluntary blind bet, which in limit games shall be twice the big blind, effectively raising the blind. If posted under the gun (immediately to the left of the big blind) then this blind raise is known as a straddle and it is live, so that if the pot is not raised when action comes back to the straddler he shall have the option of raising his blind bet, just as any other blind bet is live. If however the player making the blind raise is in any other position, then this blind raise is known as a sleeper, and it is not live. Either a straddle or sleeper may be raised blind by any player to act behind the player who posts the straddle or sleeper. If the first active player immediately to the left of the straddler raises blind, then it is a re-straddle and is live, and so on unless and until the pot is capped. (IE If in a $20-$40 game the under the gun player straddles making it $40 to go blind, then player #2 to act may re-straddle, making it $60, player #3 may re-straddle again making it $80, and player #4 may cap it at $100 blind.) If the pot is capped blind then the last straddler's raise is NOT live, and no raises are open. If there is a straddle or re-straddle, pre-flop betting action is initiated by the player to the left of the last straddler. (Alternate Rule. Straddles and Sleepers are prohibited. This rule, however kills action and it is strongly recommended that it not be adopted.)

ALL-IN FOR PART OF THE BLIND

If a player goes all in for a portion of the big blind, then subsequent action shall be made as if the player had posted the full big blind, requiring players to call the full amount of the big blind, raise or fold, regardless of whether the amount posted is more or less than half a bet. (Alternate Rule. A player who is obligated to post a blind must have the full amount of the blind to receive a hand.)

EFFECT OF SEAT CHANGES ON THE BLINDS

• 1 Moving into the blinds. A player who is moving closer to the blinds shall not be required to post in his new seat, and shall immediately receive a hand.

• 2 A player who moves away from the blinds shall not receive a hand until the button has advanced so that he is the same number of seats away from the blinds that he was before the seat change; or the player may elect to post a big blind in his new seat. (Alternate Rule. A player who moves two active players or fewer away from the blinds shall not be required to post in his new seat, and shall immediately receive a hand. A player who moves more than two active players away from the blinds shall be required to post a big blind before receiving a hand, or he may wait until the button has advanced to a position where his new seat is the same number of positions from the big blind as his old seat was before the seat change.) The main rule is more common in California, the alternate rule prevalent in Las Vegas. The main rule is preferred because it results in the least change in game conditions and is more fair.

• 3 Moving into a seat with the dealer button or the blind. A player who moves into a seat which is due to post the big blind may receive a hand immediately in the big blind or may wait for the blinds and button to pass and post a big blind behind the button. A player who moves into a seat which is due to post the small blind must wait until the button has passed him and shall post a big blind behind the button. A player who moves into a seat which is due to have the button shall wait one hand, and if he has moved more than two active players he may post a big blind behind the button or wait to receive a hand until the button has advanced so that his seat is the same number of positions from the big blind as his old seat was before the seat change.

• 4 Moving when it is a player's turn to post the small blind. A player who is due to post the small blind, having just posted his big blind, may move to any seat except the button or the big blind and post his small blind in the new seat, and then post the blinds in the normal course of play when they come to him. If he wishes to move into a seat which is due to have either the button or the big blind, he shall post his small blind where he is, deal off the button, and move into the seat behind the button.

• 5 Moving immediately after having posted the blinds or played the button. A player who has just paid his big blinds or has dealt off his button may move to any seat except the button or blind seats and receive a free hand.

• 6 Moving from the button. No player may move when it's his button hand as this would give the player to his right the benefit of last action twice in a row. The player must take a hand and deal off.

• 7 Dead Small Blind Money. When a player is required to post both a big blind and small blind at the same time, the big blind is live, and shall be placed in front of the player, and the money which would constitute the small blind is dead, and shall be pulled to the center of the pot.

• 8 Dealing Off. A player who deals off may allow the blinds to pass his new seat one time and re-enter the game behind the button without having to post any blinds.

IMPROPERLY POSITIONED BUTTON

If before the first card is dealt on the next hand it is determined that the button was out of position, the blind responsibilities will be corrected where possible. (What if it's not discovered til later. How do you DO this?