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Stealing the blinds uncontested in no limit texas hold em cash games is typically not among the most important weapons to employ. This changes significantly as the cash table becomes short handed. In a short-handed game, each poker player posts blinds far more often. The cost of the blinds becomes far more a factor in short handed games than they are in full table poker games. A smart poker player must adjust to offset this added cost of playing poker.

Stealing Blinds from Earlier Position

Normally in full ring games on www.PokerStar.com, if play folds to the button or cutoff position, most late position players open with a raise intending to steal the blinds uncontested. In short handed poker games, however, a steal attempt should be made starting from middle position. By starting your steal attempts from an earlier position than normal, you will pick up an average of one blind every few orbits.

Widen Hand Range

As the poker table shortens, your starting hand range, as well as the range of hands you will raise with should widen. Failing to widen your natural hand range will result in too tight a posture for such a fast moving table. This results in playing too few hands and a significant loss to the chip stack in the form of blinds paid.

Re-steal from the Small and Big Blinds

Another great way to steal blinds in short handed games is by utilizing the re-steal from the small and big blinds. In this case, the best offense is a strong defense. When a player is clearly on a steal move for your blinds, often reraising in defense of your blinds will cause the thieving player to fold. Not only will you retain your own blinds, but you will also capture his raise.

In addition, another benefit of implementing an aggressive blind defense initiative on PokerStar is that over time players will note that you care about your blinds and will defend them with your entire mite. This will discourage players from acting on your blinds, often resulting in a walk for you when in the big blind.

By loosening up, playing more aggressive, and focusing on stealing blinds, one can turn a handsome profit playing short-handed poker games.