Posted by In poker, the term blind steal refers to a situation where a player in late position open-raises preflop with the intention of taking down the small and big blinds.
This approach is often effective because players in the blinds typically hold random hands. The chance that they will have a strong enough holding to call or reraise is quite low, giving you good opportunities to win their forced bets.
Additionally, if the blinds do call, they will be out of position for the rest of the hand. That means they need above-average hands to justify seeing the flop.
When it comes to blind stealing, you’ll often face two different situations:
- you are the one trying to steal the blinds;
- or your opponents are attempting to steal yours.
How should you play in each case? The answer depends on the game format, but here we’ll focus on cash games.
Stealing Strategy in Cash Games: How to Steal Poker Blinds
In cash games, blinds are usually small compared to player stacks. This means that blind stealing on its own won’t be highly profitable. The better approach is to focus on solid starting hands and avoid unnecessary risks with weak holdings.
However, blind steals can be valuable if you’re confident in your postflop edge. Acting in position gives you the ability to pressure your opponents and capture not just the blinds but also additional chips they invest in the pot. Still, don’t overdo it—if you attempt to steal every orbit, the blinds will adjust and start fighting back.
🎯 Want to practice your blind stealing skills in real-money games? Try your strategy today on CoinPoker or Tigergaming Poker.
Defending Against Blind Steals and Improving Your Blind Stealing Skills
The first rule: don’t overdefend. Calling too often from the blinds without position is a losing approach. If you call and miss the flop, what’s next?
- Are you ready to reraise the opponent’s likely continuation bet?
- Or fire a bluff donk-bet into the aggressor?
Both options leave you with little information about your opponent’s hand while risking a significant portion of your stack for a questionable reward. Information is the most valuable asset in poker—without it, defending blinds becomes unprofitable in the long run.
Remember: once you post the blind, that money is no longer yours—it belongs to the pot. Many players make costly mistakes by believing they “must” protect their blinds. In reality, this mindset often leads to bigger losses.
That said, selective aggression can discourage frequent stealers. If you identify a player opening too wide from late position, a solid reraise can force them to reconsider. Even if they call, your show of strength will signal that you won’t let your blinds go uncontested.
This defense is most effective when blinds are small compared to stacks, as you won’t risk too much of your stack and can stay flexible postflop.
Conclusion
The success of blind stealing largely depends on the ratio of blinds to effective stacks. With short stacks, steals become less profitable, since you risk too much to win too little. The worst option in these spots is simply flat calling.
Calling invests too many chips without initiative, leaving you vulnerable. When in doubt, stick to a straightforward approach: fold your weak hands and reraise with strong ones.
FAQ
A blind steal occurs when a player in late position open-raises preflop with the intention of taking the small and big blinds without contest. It’s a common strategy in cash games to accumulate chips over time.
Blind stealing is most effective when the players in the blinds are tight or passive and unlikely to defend with weak hands. Your position and stack sizes should also be considered before attempting a steal.
Don’t overdefend. Only call or reraise with hands that have strong postflop potential. Be aware that defending out of position carries risks, and sometimes it’s better to fold and conserve chips.
Yes, but the profitability depends on stack sizes and opponent tendencies. Small, consistent wins from steals add up, especially when you apply pressure selectively and avoid overusing the strategy.
Common mistakes include attempting to steal too frequently, stealing with weak hands, and ignoring opponent adjustments. Overstealing can lead to losses as attentive players will start defending more aggressively.
Another strategy: Check Raise in Poker
Facebook Comments