Playing At Small Blind Position
Feb 1, 2012 About Poker Play Poker Game
Any poker player would know that playing from the small blind in poker is a difficult task for a number of reasons. In a small blind position you are forced to put in the money in the pot but not sufficient money to see the flop for free. And if you want to pay to see the flop then you would have to act from an early position during the rest of the game. The idea behind playing smart from the small blind is to entirely avoid the situation of getting stuck in a difficult position after the flop.
It does not cost much of a bet to see a flop but it is advisable in the game of poker to start at a tight hand. When you are playing from the small blind in poker then you are put out of position for the rest of the poker game. Once the first pre-flop stage is over, a small blind position player will always have to be the first one to act which means you are not going to gain any information advantage from other players on the poker table and will not have a clue on how good or bad their hands are.
It is highly advisable that a small blind should always be completed at a time when almost all the other players have entered the pot. At this point of time the odds of the pot are good enough to complete the small blind.
When you are on a small blind in poker and a raise has already been made in the game before the flop has been reached then it is a clear indication that you need to squeeze your hand considerably. This means that the player who has made the raise is at a strong position and hence not afraid to take an initiative. So if you are not sure of the strength of your hand and not sure how to overcome the disadvantage then do not go for a re-raise. There are high chances of things going wrong for you when you are trying to play with a marginal hand from a small blind in poker against a player who has gone for a raise before the flop. You will end up folding up in most of the occasions.
A player in the small blind in poker may come across another situation when it has been folded around to him. In such a case the player can either go for a raise or fold. Most likely a raise will make the pot yours immediately because there is less chance the big blind has a strong hand. At the same time while making a raise one needs to remain alert as to whom you are stealing from. Also remember that calling in this situation gives you the big blind the control of your hand. So calling is not an option. Raising and folding are much better options.
Playing from the small blind position is tricky and might put you into many problems while you are in the game. But be alert and smart because the pot belongs to you.
