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Poker Rules - Blinds & Button |
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BUTTON AND BLIND USE
In button games, a non-playing dealer normally does the actual
dealing. A round disk called the button is used to indicate
which player has the dealer position . The player with the button
is last to receive cards on the initial deal and has the right
of last action after the first betting round. The button moves
clockwise after a deal ends to rotate the advantage of last
action. One or more blind bets are usually used to stimulate
action and initiate play. Blinds are posted before the players
look at their cards. Blinds are part of a player’s bet
, unless the structure of a game or the situation requires part
or all of a particular blind to be “dead.” Dead
chips are not part of a player’s bet . With two blinds,
the small blind is posted by the player immediately clockwise
from the button, and the big blind is posted by the player two
positions clockwise from the button. With more than two blinds,
the little blind is normally left of the button (not on it).
action is initiated on the first betting round by the first
player to the left of the blinds. On all subsequent betting
rounds, the action begins with the first active player to the
left of the button.
RULES FOR USING BLINDS
1. The minimum bring-in and allowable raise sizes for the opener
are specified by the poker form used and blind amounts set for
a game. They remain the same even when the player in the blind
does not have enough chips to post the full amount.
2. Each round every player must get an opportunity for the button,
and meet the total amount of the blind obligations. Either of
the following methods of button and blind placement may be designated
to do this:
(a) Moving button – The button always moves forward to
the next player and the blinds adjust
accordingly. There may be more than
one big blind .
(b) Dead button – The big blind is posted by the player
due for it, and the small blind and button are
positioned accordingly, even if this
means the small blind or the button is placed in front of an
empty
seat, giving the same player the privilege
of last action on consecutive hands.
3. A player posting a blind has the option of raising the pot
at the first turn to act. Although chips posted by the big blind
are considered a bet, this option to raise is retained if someone
goes all-in with a wager of less than the minimum raise.
4. In heads-up play with two blinds, the small blind is on the
button.
5. A new player entering the game has the following options:
(a) Wait for the big blind .
(b) Post an amount equal to the big blind and immediately be
dealt a hand. (In lowball, a new player
must either post an amount double the
big blind or wait for the big blind .)
6. A new player who elects to let the button go by once without
posting is not treated as a player in the game who has missed
a blind, and needs to post only the big blind when entering
the game.
7. A person playing over is considered a new player, and must
post the amount of the big blind or wait for the big blind .
8. A new player cannot be dealt in between the big blind and
the button. Blinds may not be made up between the big blind
and the button. You must wait until the button passes.
9. When you post the big blind , it serves as your opening bet
. When it is your next turn to act, you have the option to raise
.
10. A player who misses any or all blinds can resume play by
either posting all the blinds missed or waiting for the big
blind . If you choose to post the total amount of the blinds,
an amount up to the size of the minimum opening bet is live.
The remainder is taken by the dealer to the center of the pot
and is not part of your bet . When it is your next turn to act,
you have the option to raise .
11. If a player who owes a blind (as a result of a missed blind)
is dealt in without posting, the hand is dead if the player
looks at it before putting up the required chips, and has not
yet acted. If the player acts on the hand and plays it, putting
chips into the pot before the error is discovered, the hand
is live, and the player is required to post on the next deal.
12. A player who goes all-in and loses is obligated to make
up the blinds if they are missed before a rebuy is made. (The
person is not treated as a new player when reentering.)
13. These rules about blinds apply to a newly started game:
(a) Any player who drew for the button is considered active
in the game and is required to make up any
missed blinds.
(b) A new player will not be required to post a blind until
the button has made one complete revolution
around the table, provided a blind
has not yet passed that seat.
(c) A player may change seats without penalty, provided a blind
has not yet passed the new seat.
14. In all multiple-blind games, a player who changes seats
will be dealt in on the first available hand in the same relative
position . Example: If you move two active positions away from
the big blind , you must wait two hands before being dealt in
again. If you move closer to the big blind , you can be dealt
in without any penalty. If you do not wish to wait and have
not yet missed a blind, then you can post an amount equal to
the big blind and receive a hand. (Exception: At lowball you
must kill the pot, wait for the same relative position , or
wait for the big blind ; see “Section 11 – Lowball,”
rule #7.)
15. A player who "deals off" (by playing the button
and then immediately getting up to change seats) can allow the
blinds to pass the new seat one time and reenter the game behind
the button without having to post a blind.
16. A live “straddle bet " is not allowed at limit
poker except in specified games.
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