The small blind can be a difficult position to play from in most pkv qq games, leaving you towards the end of the table in regards to play order but still not in the final power position that the big blind is in. This means that while you have the flexibility of adjusting your play to whatever has already happened before you in the round, you may not be able to control the table should the big blind decide to come into play. Still, the small blind is a position of at least some power that, if played properly, can work well to your advantage when you need it most.
When looking at the table positions from the small blind perspective, remember that most experienced poker players will only raise pre-flop if they feel that they have a particularly strong hand in the round, while those with moderate to strong hands will limp into the pot with a call. They also know that both you and the big blind will be looking for this, so with this in mind consider any move you make at the end of the game a powerful play that you can take charge of. Take, for instance, if the entire table has folded or called around to you and now you’re up to bat. Even if you’re holding a moderately strong – but not necessarily particularly strong – hand at this point, it might be a good idea to raise approximately four times the size of the big blind.
Why you may ask?
By raising that amount of money at your position, you’re sending out two signals to the rest of the table that is still in the game – first to the big blind that if they want to stay in the round they can’t simply check their already wagered amount but must instead make a substantial commitment to the game, while second, you’re actively challenging all other players on the table that have limped into the pot to back up their initial bet. With a moderately strong hand, you have a high enough likelihood that you will win the pot regardless of the other players decide to stay committed and see the flop, while if not, you have just stolen not only the blind but all the other money that was put in that round in addition to it.
Another good play to make from a small blind position is to simply play tight and observe the other players. If you have a particularly bad hand or even a moderate one but someone before you has raised, don’t worry about folding out of the round – after all, it’s not much of a loss on your part. Instead, focus on watching how the other players react to their hands at the table to better understand and predict what moves they will make later on. By sitting at the end of the round at the small blind position, you have a strong ability to view each and every other player at the table (save the big blind), consider their cards, and make their call before making your own, something that you can take advantage of for the long-term even if you’re dealt nothing immediately.
