subject: Helena Poker Tournaments - Texas Holdem Poker Blinds [print this page] Texas Holdem poker is one of the trickiest games in the world. Even professionals are not saved from the different kinds of traps in this game. A good way of preparing yourself for the many surprises that lie ahead is through familiarizing yourself with the different aspects of the game, like Texas Holdem poker blinds. These blinds play a big role in how you manage your chips in the poker table.
Texas Holdem poker blinds are simply the initial bets you make before any card is drawn. It would help much to learn how these bets are made so you would be able to win back the blinds. Understanding how blinds are made also plays an important role in your betting strategy which can do much in saving you chips, especially if you need those most.
The value of the blinds varies. What you need to take note of are indicators like $2-$4. When you are told that blinds are $2-$4, this simply means that the value of the small blind is $2 and the value of the big blind is $4. You can raise the blinds as much as you can afford, especially if you are trying to steal the blinds. This happens when all the other players fold because they do not like the idea of losing chip any further.
Blinds can be thought of as mandatory bets. The first player to the left of the button (also referred to as the dealers button) is required to place the small blind and the second player to the left of the button is required to put up the big blind.
Texas Holdem poker blinds go up as the game progresses. Generally, blinds go up every couple of hours. If you are running a Texas Holdem poker game, see to it that you notify players each time blinds go up.