Blind
Mandatory bets posted by the two players to the left of the dealer button before cards are dealt in Texas Hold'em.
Detailed Explanation
Blinds are the forced bets that initiate the pot in Texas Hold'em and Omaha poker. The player immediately to the left of the dealer button posts the Small Blind (typically half the minimum bet), and the player two positions to the left posts the Big Blind (the full minimum bet). Both are posted 'blind' — before cards are dealt and without seeing any cards.
Blinds rotate clockwise with the dealer button after each hand, ensuring each player contributes equally to forced bets over time. In tournament poker, blinds increase at set intervals to apply pressure and force action as stack depths decrease relative to the escalating cost of posting.
The Big Blind's ability to 'defend' their blind against raises is a significant area of modern poker strategy. Optimal BB defence frequencies are derived from game theory optimal (GTO) solver analysis.
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