Table and rules
Big blind (BB) in poker
Definition
The larger forced bet, posted by the second player to the left of the button; it sets the minimum bet of the first round.
The big blind is the stake of the game: other amounts are measured in big blinds, so a 100 big blind stack means a stack of 100 times the big blind. Poker maths, win rates and bankroll rules all use big blinds as the unit.
The big blind acts last before the flop, so it can close the action with a check if nobody raises, and it defends against a raise with a discount because it has already paid part of the price.
Example
A $0.50/$1 game has a $1 big blind; a $100 stack there is 100 big blinds.
Related terms
- Small blind (SB)The smaller forced bet, posted by the player to the left of the dealer button before the cards are dealt.
- AnteA small forced bet that every player posts into the pot before the cards are dealt.
- Button (BTN)The dealer position, marked by a button; it acts last on every street after the flop and is the best seat at the table.
- BB/100Your win rate in cash games: how many big blinds you win per 100 hands.