Steal the Blinds
Steal the Blinds is a poker move where you raise pre-flop with a less-than-stellar hand, aiming to make other players fold and scoop up the blinds (small blind and big blind). It’s like finding loose change in your couch cushions but with a bit more strategy involved.
The origin of Steal the Blinds in Poker
The term “Steal the Blinds” comes from the idea of “stealing” the mandatory bets (blinds) placed by the first two players to the left of the dealer. This tactic became popular in the 1970s with the rise of Texas Hold’em, where aggressive play started to be seen as a viable strategy. Players like Doyle Brunson helped popularize it through their aggressive pre-flop raises.
Examples of use:
“I saw an opportunity to steal the blinds, so I made a quick raise.”
Player 1: “I had a weak hand, but I went for it and tried to steal the blinds.”
Player 2: “Did it work?”
Player 1: “Yeah, everyone folded!”
You can use it in real life too…
- “I got to the meeting early and snagged the best seat. Total steal the blinds moment.”
- “Caught the last donut in the office kitchen—steal the blinds!”
- “I managed to swipe the last parking spot. Felt like I was stealing the blinds.”
When playing, be aware:
Do: Time Your Moves
Stealing the blinds is all about timing. Look for situations where the players in the blinds are tight or cautious. If they’re likely to fold, that’s your cue. The fewer players left to act, the better your chances.
Don’t: Overuse the Tactic
While it’s tempting to steal the blinds often, overdoing it can backfire. Opponents will catch on and start calling or re-raising. Mix up your plays to keep them guessing.
Steal the Blinds means the same in other sports?
In sports like baseball, the term “steal” is used but with a different meaning—like stealing a base. In poker, “steal the blinds” is specific to taking advantage of mandatory bets. No other sport uses it in quite the same way.
Trivia
Did you know that the success rate of stealing the blinds varies by position? Players on the button (last to act) have the highest success rate because they can observe all previous actions. This makes it a prime spot for executing the move.
