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In no limit Texas Holdem, defending the blinds is a tough thing to do. Many players from the button and cutoff positions are trying to steal whenever the opportunity arises. Add to the difficulty of putting up a fight for your blinds that you will be doing so at a disadvantage, as you will be out of position. However, protecting your blinds is an important part of your poker game. Defense of one’s blinds should be aggressive and relentless.

How to Defend your Blinds

When a late position player on the internet poker sites that you play on raises preflop in what seems to be an attempt to steal, the best way to defend your blinds is to reraise aggressively. Be certain that you price in the fact that if you are called, you are out of position. Additionally, if you are able to make his decision more difficult by significantly upsizing your raise, then do so. Anything to make it difficult for the opposing player to decide how best to play is recommended.

Additionally, when moving to defend your blinds, be sure that the player who is stealing is capable of laying down a hand after actively showing interest in the hand. The player in question must have a decent size gap between the hands he raises with and those he calls a reraise with. By ensuring that the player is of this caliber, you will make your defense efforts more profitable.

What to Do if Called or Re-Reraised

If a stealing player calls your reraise, take the flop. If the flop hits you hard, and the stealer is aggressive, set your trap by checking. Should he bet into you, you can comfortably check-raise here, as you have already shown that you are not to be toyed with. He knew that before he bet into you. Odds are all of the chips end up in the center.

If the flop misses you, you can continue your preflop aggression here by making a bet in hopes of taking down the pot. Sometimes, firing a third barrel is necessary should this player call your continuation bet.

If re-popped preflop, do the math and figure out how your hand fairs against his hand range. Let the math and the projected hand range determine your course of action. Additionally, you should have sized the reraise in such a manner that this decision is simple for you.