I’m just wondering if a player who is posting the big blind can actually ever raise before cards are even dealt, particularly when in no limit holdem. In some of the games I was able to witness, players with few chips left should put in what they still have prior to the dealing of the cards.

Any idea on the stuff I’m troubled of?

Thanks,
Bob Llewelyn
Bob,

The only person that could “raise blind” and get away with it would be the first person to act after the big blind. Some people will do a “straddle bet” which is a third blind that is used to force action. Players in other positions may not do this. The reason the first player to act may is because they are first to act and it’s their action anyway.

I love to play .50/1.00 NL Holdem with some of my closes friends. Typically, we pass around the deck and let everyone at the table deal and then use the deck as the “dealer” button. However, there was a problem at some point, several of my friends can’t deal well. Therefore, I started dealing every hand and eventually used a real dealer button. Also, I then started to play in the game, but some wanted me to deal with every hand as for them I was quick, fair, and doing good. Well, I must admit, I also had some misdeals or improper flops and I don’t know why they find me good as long as dealing is concern.

As time pass, I tried to become better. I also tried to familiarize myself to some things I used to be of no knowledge about. First, I tried seeking out possible answers as to what’s the best way to shuffle for a home game. Well, a number of times, I just do a standard bridge shuffle. And I have read 7 times makes it total randomized, however on televisions, play with all the cards in their hands till it is randomized. Second, I tried to find the answer to the question on my mind, when you have a full table of 10, where is the standard place to put fold cards. And then the last, something about if people are allowed to fold out of turn. Unfortunately, till now, I haven’t yet found any answer for all of my questions. Hope you can help me.

Thank you very much. By the way, I love your site and it’s been a great help to me.

Warm regards,
Gunnar Lundmark
Gunnar,

What you see dealers do is wash the deck. The spread out the cards and wash them around with their hands. This is not part of every shuffle and deal. This can be done, but is time consuming. A player may request it once a round.

When shuffling, the dealer usually takes the cards, shuffles at least three times. Does some mini cuts where it looks like they are quickly stacking the deck in thirds. Then they shuffle a time or two more and then cut the deck onto the cut card. There are some variations in this but most dealers do similar.

At a table of 10, if you are not playing, put the muck pile directly in front of you as to not interfere. If you are playing, put the muck pile slightly to your right side.

Players are not allowed to fold out of turn. If they do, they receive a warning. They do not receive their cards back however.