♠ Blind Stealing

There are steals and steals - blind stealing is especially useful in short-handed games, 4, 5, the fewer punters at the table, the lower the probability of getting beat by a forcing better hand.

So…. you’re the button, and the hole cards are dealt. You have a look - and see a pair of sixes. The small blind puts up $5. The big blind puts in their $10. The other player calls and antes up and now it’s up to you.

Good old common sense has just told you to throw in your cards. you’ve got a low pair, the other players seem happy enough with the holdings…

You open your mouth… and ‘all in’ and your whole stack comes out - and on a pair of sixes.

And one by one, they fold - you’ve managed to steal the blinds.

This is a gimmick play - best ventured when you are in a late position, eg dealer. You’re the last to act, you have the chance to observe, you therefore have more information.

The biggest risk when attempting a steal is someone not falling for it and staying in on you - good strategy here to understand the styles of various opponents before pushing it. Here, timid opponents paid off for you - it won’t always.