Table and rules
Small blind (SB) in poker
Definition
The smaller forced bet, posted by the player to the left of the dealer button before the cards are dealt.
The small blind is usually half of the big blind. It counts toward the player's bet on the first betting round, so the small blind only needs to add the difference to call.
The small blind is the worst seat at the table: it acts first on every street after the flop and is out of position against everyone. That is why most players fold many hands from there unless the action is folded to them.
Example
At 1/2 blinds the small blind posts 1 and must add 1 more to call the big blind of 2.
Related terms
- Big blind (BB)The larger forced bet, posted by the second player to the left of the button; it sets the minimum bet of the first round.
- 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.
- AnteA small forced bet that every player posts into the pot before the cards are dealt.
- Out of position (OOP)Acting before your opponent on the current betting round, so you must decide without seeing what they will do.