SB (small blind)

The seat left of the button that posts half a big blind before the cards, and acts first after the flop.

Last updated October 16, 2026

What it means: The small blind posts 0.5bb before the deal. Preflop it acts second to last, just before the big blind; after the flop it acts first.
How it is calculated: Having half a bet in helps its price, but acting first on every later street is a big handicap, so the SB often raises or folds rather than calls.
Worked example: Folded to the small blind at 100bb, the pot is 1.5bb and only the big blind is left, so the SB plays a wide raise or limp strategy.
Why it matters: Most players lose more from the small blind than from any other seat, so its charts are useful to learn.