Blinds in poker are forced bets that two players must put into the pot before any cards are dealt, to create action and ensure there’s always something to play for.

What are blinds in poker?

In most popular games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha, there are usually two blinds:

  • Small blind
  • Big blind

These are mandatory bets posted by the players immediately to the left of the dealer button, before any cards are dealt.

Small blind vs big blind

  • Small blind :
    • Posted by the player directly to the left of the dealer button.
* Usually about half the size of the big blind (for example, 1/2, 5/10, etc.).
  • Big blind :
    • Posted by the next player to the left of the small blind.
* Usually equal to the minimum bet for that hand (for example, in a 1/2 game, big blind is 2).

After each hand, the dealer button moves one seat to the left, so everyone takes turns paying both blinds over time.

Why do blinds exist?

Blinds keep the game moving and prevent everyone from folding endlessly waiting for perfect cards.

They do three key things:

  1. Create an automatic pot to fight for every hand.
  2. Force players to get involved instead of just waiting for premium hands.
  3. Add positional strategy: defending or attacking the blinds becomes a big part of winning poker.

Without blinds, players could simply wait for the best possible hands and never risk chips otherwise, which would make the game slow and boring.

Blinds vs antes (quick note)

  • Blinds :
    • Only specific players (small blind and big blind positions) pay them each hand.
  • Antes :
    • Everyone at the table pays a small forced bet each hand, on top of or instead of blinds in some formats.

Both are forced bets, but blinds are tied to positions; antes are paid by all players.

Simple example

Imagine a 1/2 cash game:

  • Small blind puts in 1 chip.
  • Big blind puts in 2 chips.
  • The action then starts with the player to the left of the big blind, who can fold, call 2, or raise.

From there, the hand plays out as normal, but that initial pot exists only because of the blinds.

TL;DR: If you’re asking “what are blinds in poker,” they’re the automatic pre-dealt bets (small blind and big blind) that keep every hand contested and give players something to win right away.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.