blind stealing.

[JFarrell20 1]

I'm interested to hear everyone's thoughts on blind stealing (at a 7-10 handed table). Personally, this is not a part of my game and I'm wondering how much this is hurting me (or if it is at all).It seems like the people who steal blinds do so in late position with rags. To me, this just doesn't seem very wise. I'd be more inclined to limp in and try to flop something and slowplay knowing that the others aren't going to put me on a rag flop. If I get re-raised, I'll lay it down. Also, say I get dealt good cards (A K) on the button... well I don't want to steal their blinds... I want to keep both players in the pot. I'll usually bump it up to 2-3XBB, and get smooth-called. It just seems like raising to 4-5XBB on the button in an un-raised pot with rags is too dangerous in the long run. Taking account all the money you steal and all the money you lose, I'd figure you'd come out slightly on the negative. Again, this is for a bigger table. Obviously with a small table (and a big stack) you'll put pressure on the blinds with garbage.Thoughts???

[jayistheman 0]

the only place i try to steal blinds is partypoker... because their blinds are big. at any other site with reasonable blinds, it doesnt matter... the only reason to raise with rags in late position is because you have position after the flop. when i raise with rags on the button, i often want a call so i can outplay them in a nice pot on the flop or the turn.in a cash game anyway... in a tournament, blind stealing is crucial.

[troll 0]

Your ability to steal blinds depends a lot on your table image and stack size in my opinon. If you have a big stack you can pressure the small stacks out of the blinds, also if your image is a tight player you can steal the blinds a few times based on that image. Your never going to be able to steal everytime so you just have to evaluate the people you are playing with

[Mandelbrot 0]

Your ability to steal blinds depends a lot on your table image and stack size

I agree a lot with this, but would also add in 1) your position, 2) the table, and 3) the stage of the tournament (if applicable).

[wrto4556 0]

It matters how big the blinds are. If you're playing a $30/$60. Sure, stealing blinds should be a part of your game. But at $2/$4...it just seems pointless. I'll raise with more hands in the CO and on the button. But most of the time it's a raise for value. If I know the guy in the BB is super tight, I'll raise his blind every time. If he protects, I cut back on some of my raising. Most of my raises are for value, not steal attempts.

[Smasharoo 0]

It matters how big the blinds are. If you're playing a $30/$60. Sure, stealing blinds should be a part of your game. But at $2/$4...it just seems pointless. Doesn't matter what the amount is.It matters how loose or tight the table is.Anytime you can make a profit stealing blinds you should do it.

[MasterLJ 0]

It matters how big the blinds are. If you're playing a $30/$60. Sure, stealing blinds should be a part of your game. But at $2/$4...it just seems pointless. Doesn't matter what the amount is.It matters how loose or tight the table is.Anytime you can make a profit stealing blinds you should do it.

I agree and it's pretty easy to track. Just keep a mental note, or if you play online, jot down, every time it worked and it didn't. I'm a big fan of the semi-bluff in mostly NL but sometimes Limit games. If I stumble across 89 suited under the gun, I might just play it like pocket Kings. Sometimes switching up your play is great. I'd say that it is not possible to steal the blinds at all tables, but it is surely very easy to find out if it's a profitable move. Try it, and see how much you lose or win.

[tekn0wledg 0]

I only try to steal with garbage when I am sure that the people in the blinds are timid players and not going to play back at me. Otherwise I will wait for the right opportunity and throw it in randomly.In other instances I will make a larger than normal raise with a hand that wouldn't merit such a raise from late position in hopes to win the pot right there. If they call or play back at me I can get away from the hand right there.That said I do make stabs with garbage hands, but I just choose my situations wisely.Stealing the blinds is an added way to increase your BB/hr so it's definitely a big part of your game if you can add it to the skills you possess.

[Eskimo 0]

A have a question for everyone...When you raise for a blind steal, do you make a standard 4x BB raise, go all-in, or bet somewhere in the middle?I usually bet somewhere in the middle, or go all-in. They could be 100% sure that im bluffing, but what the hell are they gonna do about it when they're dealt 63 offsuit in BB.

[accolades 0]

I'm no pro by any stretch of the imagination, but I think if you have rags you probably don't want to go all in... Once in a while the big blind will get lucky and be holding QQ, KK, AA, AK that's an expensive proposition.Although don't take my word for it, I'm not much of a blind stealer until the I'm shorthanded in a tournament.

[pat_s_lee 0]

I think it's definitely important to steal blinds in tournament play, esp. in bubble situations (when most players tighten up) and when the blinds are about to go up. Mostly I do it from late (i.e. with Ax off) and there aren't any callers, or if my table image is of a tight player, even UTG.I don't go crazy on the raises (never all-in on rags)...you have to leave yourself outs. If you get played back at, you have the option to release. If you get called and catch some ragged flop that works into your advantage - boom. That's how the Devilfish plays!The best is in online play when BB has disconnected and everyone else has folded! :wink: Easy money on the blind steal!

[Smasharoo 0]

When you raise for a blind steal, do you make a standard 4x BB raise, go all-in, or bet somewhere in the middle? I'm surprised in a SnG when it's folded to the SB when he *dosen't* go all in to attack the BB.

[JFarrell20 1]

Good responses from everyone so far. I don't see why you would move all in to steal blinds. 4XBB raise should be enough to where if the blind has garbage, he wont chase. What if you move all in and he's got KK like that guy said? Whoops. Plus, if he moves all in over the top of you you can lay it down (unfortunately now the whole table knows you were stealing). Time to adjust.I think what WRTO was saying was that at 2/4 tables, people will have the ingrained characteristic of playing looser because "its only a couple bucks". Whereas, even if you're a millionaire, you're going to be less likely to chase 30 dollar raises or whatever. I know the proportion of your bankroll to the raise is the same, but still, these people that play at lower limits will be looser b/c it's easier to re-earn that money they lose in the real world.

[Wilderness 0]

As most people have said, you just have to adjust your blind stealing to the table (more particularly to the people in the blinds when you are on the button or the cut off) as well as the situation (tournament, cash game, etc).You won't know how people will react to stealing the blinds until you've tried it, so just do it once or twice and see what they act like. Also, observing how aggressive/passive they play when they are in a pot can be a good indicator as well.Going all-in to steal the blinds depends on the stack size, blinds, whether its a tournament, etc.