Big Blind (BB)
The big blind is the larger of the two forced bets posted before the cards are dealt.
The simple explanation
The big blind is a forced bet posted by one player before the cards are dealt. It is the larger of the two blinds and is usually twice the small blind. Because it counts as a live bet, the other players must at least match it to see the flop, and if nobody raises, the big blind can check.
A closer look
Before the flop the big blind is the first bet that others must match, which is why a raise to three times the big blind is a 2-bet, not a 3-bet. The size of the big blind also names the stakes of a game: in tournaments it rises with each level. The big blind acts last before the flop but first after it, so defending it is a matter of price against position.
A practical example
With blinds of 1/2, Player C posts the 2-chip big blind. Player A raises to 6, and Player C calls by adding 4 more chips.
Full explanation
The big blind is the larger of the two forced bets posted before the cards are dealt.
The big blind is the larger of the two forced bets in hold’em. It is posted by the player two seats to the left of the button, the seat after the small blind, before any cards are dealt. It is normally double the small blind.
It is a live bet, which means the player has an option when the action comes back. If everyone just calls, the big blind may check or raise. Because of this option, the big blind is often described as the last player to act before the flop.
After the flop the order reverses: the big blind acts early, so it is out of position against most opponents. Defending the big blind is therefore a trade between a discount on the call and a disadvantage in position.
The amount of the big blind is also the unit for stack sizes. Players speak of having 50 or 100 big blinds, and the win-rate statistic bb/100 is measured in big blinds.
Alternative spelling: Big Blind, BB
The big blind
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 spades (Ks)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 200 · In this round 0
- Player B SB 99 of hearts (9h)44 of clubs (4c) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player C BB AAce of hearts (Ah)88 of diamonds (8d) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 9 chips
Player A raises to 6 before the flop.
- Player A BTN KKing of spades (Ks)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B SB 99 of hearts (9h)44 of clubs (4c) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player C BB AAce of hearts (Ah)88 of diamonds (8d) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 9 chips
Player B folds the small blind.
- Player A BTN KKing of spades (Ks)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B SB 99 of hearts (9h)44 of clubs (4c) · Stack 199 · In this round 1 · Folded
- Player C BB AAce of hearts (Ah)88 of diamonds (8d) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 13 chips
Player C posted the 2-chip big blind before the cards were dealt, so calling the raise to 6 costs 4 more chips. The big blind counts as the first bet before the flop.
- Player A BTN KKing of spades (Ks)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B SB 99 of hearts (9h)44 of clubs (4c) · Stack 199 · In this round 1 · Folded
- Player C BB AAce of hearts (Ah)88 of diamonds (8d) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.