Texas Hold'em Blinds: Small Blind, Big Blind, Button, and Action Order
Short version: before each hand, the seat left of the dealer button posts the small blind (SB), and the next seat posts the big blind (BB) (usually twice the SB). The button itself does not post a blind in standard play. Preflop, action starts left of the BB and the BB acts last; after the flop, the first active player left of the button acts first and the button acts last. After every hand the button moves one seat clockwise, and the blinds move with it.
What the dealer button is (and is not)
The dealer button (often marked “D”) marks the button seat (BTN) for that hand. In a casino a professional dealer deals the cards; online, software deals. The button is a position marker — it decides who posts blinds and who acts last after the flop.
- Not a forced blind: In standard play only SB and BB post forced blinds. The button does not put chips in before cards are dealt.
- Rotates every hand: After each hand the button moves one seat clockwise so everyone cycles through button, SB, and BB.
- Best seat postflop: After the flop the button acts last every street among remaining players — that information edge is “position.” See the position guide.
Small blind and big blind: who posts and how much
Blinds are mandatory bets posted before anyone sees hole cards — that is why they are called “blind.”
| Seat | Abbrev | Where | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Button | BTN | Seat with the D button | Posts nothing (blinds only) |
| Small blind | SB | First seat left of button | Usually half the big blind |
| Big blind | BB | Second seat left of button | The table’s big-blind amount |
Example (hypothetical / for illustration): a “50/100” table means SB posts 50 and BB posts 100. Preflop, anyone who wants to continue must at least match 100 (call the big blind) or raise.
Why blinds exist: Without forced money in the pot, players could wait forever for premium hands. Blinds create a pot every deal and force decisions.
Do blinds count as your bet? Yes. The BB’s 100 already counts toward the current amount; if nobody raises, the BB does not need to add more to check. The SB’s 50 also counts; to continue the SB must add 50 more to match 100 (or raise). Chips posted as blinds cannot be taken back if you fold.
Deal order: start with the small blind
After blinds are posted, hole cards are dealt starting with the small blind, clockwise, one card per player for two rounds (two hole cards each). The button receives the last card. So the answer to “button or SB first?” is: SB first.
Community cards follow later: three on the flop, one on the turn, one on the river. Live games usually burn a card before each street; online software randomizes without a visible burn.
Who acts first on each street
Action always moves clockwise. The starting seat changes by street:
| Street | First to act | Last to act |
|---|---|---|
| Preflop | Left of BB (UTG) | Big blind |
| Flop | First active player left of button (often SB) | Button (or nearest active player to their right if button folded) |
| Turn | Same as flop | Same as flop |
| River | Same as flop | Same as flop |
Why does the BB act last preflop? The blinds already put chips in, so the first voluntary action starts after them and circles back. After the flop that “courtesy” ends — blinds often act first, which is why blind seats are harder to play.
Illustration for 6-max clockwise: BTN → SB → BB → UTG → MP → CO → back to BTN. Preflop order: UTG, MP, CO, BTN, SB, BB. Postflop (skipping folders): SB, BB, UTG, MP, CO, BTN.
Big blind option: check when nobody raises
If nobody raises preflop and everyone only calls the big-blind amount, the BB has already matched the current bet and may:
- Check: put in nothing more and see a flop; or
- Raise: even after limps only, the BB can raise and force others to call, raise, or fold again.
The small blind does not get to check for nothing preflop: SB has only half a BB in and must complete to the BB amount, raise, or fold. If someone raised earlier, the BB cannot check — call, raise, or fold like everyone else.
Raise size basics (tied to blinds)
- First bet on a street: usually at least one big blind.
- Minimum raise (no-limit): the raise increment is at least as large as the previous bet or raise increment. Example (hypothetical 50/100): someone raises to 300 (200 more than 100); the next raise must go to at least 500.
- Number of raises: no-limit usually allows unlimited raises up to all chips (all-in).
Full action definitions: betting rules. One-page flow: rules overview.
Heads-up blind rule
With only two players: the button posts the small blind and the other player posts the big blind. Preflop the button/SB acts first; after the flop the BB acts first and the button acts last. That keeps the button’s postflop positional advantage consistent with multiway tables.
Blind levels and antes
Blind levels: In a fixed home game, blinds stay at the amounts you agreed (for example 50/100). In many tournament formats, blinds rise on a schedule (“blind levels”) so the game speeds up over time.
Antes: Some formats also require every player to put in a small ante each hand in addition to blinds. When antes are used, the button posts an ante too — that does not contradict “button does not post a blind.”
In CC Poker private rooms and practice tables, the button, blinds, and action order follow these standard rules. Exact blind amounts are shown in the app. Chips are entertainment only: they cannot be gifted or exchanged for cash or goods. 18+ only.
Related
- Dealing, burn cards, flop/turn/river
- Table size and heads-up
- Betting actions: check, call, raise, fold
- Straddle rules
- All-in and side pots
- Hand rankings
- Position names and order
- Starting hands by position
- Preflop: open, limp, call, raise
- Blind defense
- Poker glossary
- Full rules overview
- Private room with friends
FAQ
What are the small blind and big blind?
Forced bets posted before cards are dealt. The seat left of the button posts the small blind; the next seat posts the big blind (usually twice the small blind). Example: 50/100 means SB 50, BB 100.
Does the button post a blind?
In standard cash-style play, no — only the small and big blinds post. If the game uses antes, everyone (including the button) posts an ante as well; that is separate from blinds.
How does the button move?
After each hand the dealer button moves one seat clockwise. The blinds move with it, so everyone takes turns as button, SB, and BB.
Who is dealt first — button or small blind?
Dealing starts with the small blind (first seat left of the button), clockwise, one card at a time for two rounds. The button receives the last hole card.
Can the big blind check preflop?
Yes, if nobody raised. When everyone only called the big blind amount, the BB may check and see a flop, or raise. If someone raised, the BB must call, raise, or fold like anyone else.
Who acts first after the flop?
On the flop, turn, and river, the first active player left of the button acts first (often the small blind). The button acts last among remaining players.
Who acts first preflop?
The player left of the big blind (UTG) acts first. The big blind acts last preflop because the blinds already put chips in.
How do blinds work heads-up?
With two players, the button posts the small blind and the other player posts the big blind. Preflop the button/SB acts first; after the flop the big blind acts first and the button acts last.