Whether you play poker in a live game or an online one, blinds are an important part of the game. Blinds are forced bets that players in certain positions around the table pay before being dealt their cards. They are designed to make sure that players don’t just sit around waiting for a great hand, and they also serve to encourage action at the table. This is why a good understanding of how blinds work and when to steal them is important for all poker players.

There are two different types of poker blinds: the small blind and the big blind. The small blind is the forced bet that the player to the left of the dealer button pays before they see their cards. The big blind is typically twice as much as the small blind, although this varies depending on the poker game being played. In cash games, the amount of the blinds is fixed for the entire session and doesn’t change unless everyone at the table unanimously agrees to make a change. In tournaments, the amount of the blinds increases over time, creating a “blind structure.”

The purpose of poker blinds is to introduce an ongoing cost to playing poker and prevent players from sitting around and waiting for pocket aces. In addition to encouraging action, they also help the cardrooms that host poker games to collect a certain amount of money from each hand. This money is known as the rake, and the higher the average pot size, the more a reputable poker site will earn from each hand.

In addition to the blinds, many tournaments have a rebuy or re-entry period where players can purchase additional chips and continue to play. Depending on the type of tournament, this may be for a predetermined number of minutes before the blinds increase again. Generally, these additional buy-ins are available for a percentage of the total tournament entry fee.

When playing poker blinds, it’s always a good idea to try and steal them from the late position. This is because there are usually fewer players to act behind you, and they are likely to call your raise with their weaker hands. You should also avoid stealing blinds from early position, as this will often result in you having to call a bet with your own hand later on.

Aside from the small and big blind, poker also has antes. These are forced bets that all players at the table must pay before being dealt their cards. The size of antes varies, but most tournaments and some cash games have them set at 10-15% the size of the big blind. Like the blinds, antes are designed to provide a constant cost for playing and ensure that the poker game doesn’t go on forever while players wait for a great hand. This keeps the action moving and allows poker tournaments to be finished within a reasonable time frame.