Battle of the Blinds
The battle of the blinds is a hand in which everyone folds to the players who posted the blinds.
The simple explanation
The battle of the blinds is a hand in which everyone folds to the small blind, and the small blind and big blind are left to fight for the pot. Both players already have money in, so they play wide ranges. The small blind acts first on every street, which makes the position difficult.
A closer look
In this matchup the small blind decides first before the flop, and after the flop he is out of position against the big blind. Typical choices are to raise, call or fold with the small blind, and to defend wide with the big blind. The skill is knowing how often the other player folds or fights. Because the pot is small, the stakes are low, but such hands happen very often.
A practical example
Everyone folds to the small blind, who raises. The big blind calls and the two play the hand.
Full explanation
The battle of the blinds is a hand in which everyone folds to the players who posted the blinds.
The battle of the blinds happens when everyone folds to the players who have forced bets. In the example, a player says that you cannot get into a habit of folding ace-queen in a battle of the blinds against a loose aggressive opponent.
The small blind posts half a big blind and the big blind posts a full one. Both have chips in the pot, so they are prepared to play weaker hands.
After the flop the small blind acts first, which is a disadvantage.
These hands are common, so they are an important part of tournament and cash game strategy.
Alternative spelling: BvB
A battle between the blinds
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips.
Read the example transcript
Player A has the button (BTN). Player B posts the 1-chip small blind (SB). Player C posts the 2-chip big blind (BB).
- Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips.
- Player A BTN KKing of hearts (Kh)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 200 · In this round 0
- Player B SB AAce of clubs (Ac)JJack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player C BB 99 of clubs (9c)99 of hearts (9h) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
The button folds. Only the small blind and big blind remain: a battle of the blinds. The small blind has the next decision at this table.
- Player A BTN KKing of hearts (Kh)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 200 · In this round 0 · Folded
- Player B SB AAce of clubs (Ac)JJack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player C BB 99 of clubs (9c)99 of hearts (9h) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.