Steal Position
Steal position is the next to last or the last position at the table, where players have the best chance to steal the blinds. In modern language, it is the cutoff and the button.
The simple explanation
The players who act just before the blinds are in the steal position. If everyone before them folds, they can raise with a wide range to take the blinds.
A closer look
The cutoff and the button are the main steal positions. Players raise with many hands there, because the blinds act after them and often fold. Small blind steals are also common. Adjust against the blinds: if they fight back, tighten your range.
A practical example
Everyone folds to you on the button. You raise from the steal position with 9♠ 4♦.
Full explanation
Steal position is the next to last or the last position at the table, where players have the best chance to steal the blinds. In modern language, it is the cutoff and the button.
Steal position is the cutoff or the button.
Players raise wide to take the blinds.
It works against tight blinds.
Adjust to the blinds.
A steal
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 99 of spades (9s)44 of diamonds (4d) · Stack 200 · In this round 0
- Player B SB 77 of clubs (7c)22 of hearts (2h) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player C BB JJack of diamonds (Jd)88 of clubs (8c) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 9 chips
Player A on the button raises to 6 with a weak hand. He hopes that both blinds fold so he can steal their money.
- Player A BTN 99 of spades (9s)44 of diamonds (4d) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B SB 77 of clubs (7c)22 of hearts (2h) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player C BB JJack of diamonds (Jd)88 of clubs (8c) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.