What is the Big Blind

In Texas Holdem players are not obligated to bet their hands so in an effort to force players to play you have what are called the blinds. Blinds are forced bets posted by players to the left of the dealer button. In tournaments blinds typically increase as the tournament continues to force people to play poker v. only betting when they have a good hand.

The diagram below shows who is has to ante up the blind. After each hand the dealer button moves one player to the left and keeps moving so each player at the table will always have to be a Big Blind and Small Blind at some point.

The Small Blind is typically half of what the Big Blind bet it. For example if the Big Blind is $10 then the Small Blind bet will be $5.