Low Limit Preflop Strategy: The Blinds

The blinds are one of the most difficult positions to play from both before the flop and after the flop. Before the flop, the blinds cause problems because other players attempt to steal them on a regular basis. The problems only continue once you’ve made it to the flop because then you have to play from early position for the rest of the hand.

When playing the blinds before the flop, it’s important to plan ahead. Preflop strategy should also include a plan for what will happen after the flop. I’ve seen many players play too many hands without first considering what it will be like to play those hands after the flop. Remember to always have a plan with the hand.

The Blinds After a Raise

This is the most difficult situation of them all because you have poor position but have already donated money to the pot. For the most part, I recommend a tight strategy when playing from the blinds after a raise. You’re going to have poor position the rest of the hand so you need to have strong cards backing you up.

A major part of how you play should depend on who raised and how the rest of the table reacted. For example, a raise in early position is much more likely to be a legitimate hand than a raise from late position. In the case of early position raises, I suggest folding all but the very best of your hands. The hands you do play should be played aggressively by raising and re-raising. If your hand isn’t strong enough for that, it probably shouldn’t be played at all.

If the raise comes from late position, especially after multiple folds, there’s a greater chance that player is trying to steal the blinds with a less than premium hand. The problem is that you don’t know for sure. Players get strong hands in all positions. The only way to play in this situation is to keep player notes and try to get a feel for the players seated to your right.

If you suspect your opponent is trying to steal the blinds, there are several tactics you can use to turn the tables around on that player. The most obvious tactic is to re-raise that player before the flop. Alternatively, you can call the raise and checkraise any flop. Other times, you can call the raise and lead out with a bet on any flop. Note how your opponent reacts to each tactic and find the one that works the best.

The Blinds After Folds

When the table folds around to you in the blinds, you have a much easier decision to make. If you’re in the big blind, you actually have no decision to make because you win the pot and move on to the next hand. If you’re in the small blind, you have several options.

In most cases, you should raise or fold from the small blind in this situation. There’s only one other player at the table and he doesn’t have to pay anything extra to see the flop. A raise is appropriate with almost any decent hand because the player in the big blind won’t have much the majority of the time.

Limping in from the small blind is a weak play because it gives the big blind a free look at the flop while leaving you in poor position during the rest of the hand. If you don’t have a hand you feel comfortable raising from the small blind, the best move is to fold. There’s no reason to put more money in the pot if you’re going to play a weak hand and then fold it on the flop.

The Blinds After Limps

The blinds are pretty easy to play from after several other people have already limped in. The extra money those people put in the pot give you great odds to complete the small blind and make the deal that much sweeter for the big blind. A large range of hands can be played from the blinds in this situation because it’s so cheap to see the flop.

The key to playing profitably after the flop is to play a tight fit-or-fold game. You’re going to be in early position during the rest of the hand so you need to hit something strong right off the bat to make it worthwhile to stick with the hand. If you don’t immediately catch something strong, make it a plan to not put any more money in the pot.

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