Defending Blind in NL cash games

**WotaWaster** · 01-10-2006

How (If at all) do people defend against blind steals in Hold 'EM NL cash games?

I find if I have a holding like for example A8 in the BB, and the button makes a 3-4 BB raise I am not sure what to do.

I possibly have the best hand as he may steal with any cards, however he equally may have AK.

I feel calling is a mistake since you dont know where you are.

If you reraise the minimum it looks weak, so I find you would have to maybe invest about $10 reraising to win a $9 pot. If you then are reraised you think OK I am beaten and there goes $10. Unless this is compensated for by him now feeling reluctant to steal your blind for a while?

Any thoughts/guidelines on reraising possible blind steals?

**Pok 7's** · 01-10-2006

Do you consider Ax to be a strong starting hand? The problem is being in EP you have a tough time knowing where you are even if you reraise, if you re raise and he moves all in what do you do? If he does have AK you're still beat unless you hit whatever your "x" card is. If you fold you just risked even more money aside from what your blind cost you. My feelings are you don't necessarily need to defend as much in a cash game because the blinds and antes don't increase like in tourneys so folding to a steal IMO isn't as big of a deal when there's only a few bets in the pot. In a tournament stealing can help especially in the later stages because there's more in the pot just with the antes and blinds. Maybe I'm wrong but that's my take on it.

**WotaWaster** · 01-10-2006

No I don't think Ax is a strong starting hand and of course would fold to an EP raise BUT if someone is raising >50% of unentered pots from the SB or button, then A8 is likely the better hand.

I currently do fold hands like A8, for the reasons I gave. I was just wondering if this is "correct" and what other people do.

**mxp2004** · 01-10-2006

IMHO, I see little reason to defend your blind in a NL cash game. In a tournament, the increasing blinds represent as much a threat to your survival as your cards do, and as a result, you can't let other players know that your blinds are up for grabs.

But in the cash game, there is no such pressure to play a hand, and the blinds are really just a jumping off point for the action. That is why in the typical live $1/$2 NL game at a casino, the usual initial preflop raise is in the range of $10 to $20, well above the average 3x-4x the BB that you see in tournaments.

When I'm sitting in a NL cash game with several hundred dollars in front of me, I don't much care if someone wants my $2 that badly. I'm not going to risk my stack (or profits) to defend my BB with junk. Having said that, I do keep position in mind and how it affects the way that the players are my table are playing. E.g., if the action folds around to a loose player in the CO or on the button and he raises, I might be inclined to call/raise with a pocket pair of 77 or better or two Broadway cards in recognition that his raise does not necessarily reflect the same kind of strength as one from an EP, tight/aggressive player. However, even in these circumstances, I'm going to proceed cautiously after the flop rather than play a marginally strong starting hand out of position.

Bottom line: NL cash games are about patience. Wait for the right opportunities to get involved or make moves, and you'll score big profits.

**Pok 7's** · 01-10-2006

Originally Posted by WotaWaster

No I don't think Ax is a strong starting hand and of course would fold to an EP raise BUT if someone is raising >50% of unentered pots from the SB or button, then A8 is likely the better hand.

I currently do fold hands like A8, for the reasons I gave. I was just wondering if this is "correct" and what other people do.

Then I think alot can depend on your read of the person also, if they're that agressive and raising the majority of their hands PF it depends on if you think you can get them to fold. You have to consider stack sizes the type of player among other things (will he fold to a bluff or will he call down with bottom pair?, does he give any consideration to your play ex. are you playing tight and showing down string hands etc.) I guess it all depends on the situation to determine how to act.

**Diggler** · 01-10-2006

Is this 9 or 6 man?

ALthough it may not seem like much of a big deal, i think this definately puts into play what exactly you should be protecting with...

**mxp2004** · 01-10-2006

Originally Posted by Diggler

Is this 9 or 6 man?

ALthough it may not seem like much of a big deal, i think this definately puts into play what exactly you should be protecting with...

Your point is well taken. My comments are about a full ring game.

**WotaWaster** · 01-10-2006

I am talking about 10 handed games.

I am happy with the advice. I don't usually bother defending blinds and I am making profit, just thought I should look into it.

E.g If you buy a poker book, it may say:
Raise in 1st position with AA, KK, QQ, AK only
By late position you should also be raising unopened pots with pairs down to 77 and AQ, AJ.
Button: I unraised pot, raise any pair, KQ, high suited connectors etc.

Is there a similar guide to when you are on the BB and facing a raise from different positions what you would reraise with?

**bonchkid** · 01-10-2006

Originally Posted by WotaWaster

Is there a similar guide to when you are on the BB and facing a raise from different positions what you would reraise with?

Yes. It's called AA,KK and sometimes QQ. I hate reraising out of position with a mediocore hand. AK is very tough to play out of position, as are hands like 99-JJ. Unlike limit holdem, I hate calling an MP raise with a hand like KJo. If you hit the flop, it is likely he did also, but you win a small pot if he had a hand like TT, and lose a big pot if he has a hand like JJ/KK/AA/AK. In limit holdem bigger cards have a bit more value headup.

**xxdemexx** · 01-10-2006

on higher limit tables blinds are a very big deal

Only AA and KK are worth more than the blinds pre-flop.

On BB if there is a 3/4 bb raise from late ask yourself if you think he is attacking (with a drawing hand). If you think he is then simply call and play out mid pair or better in a manner that he plays out top pair.

The key to playing blinds is to do a lot of heads up tournaments.These make you realise the strength of cards when one on one...

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