Poker Betting Strategy: The Big Blind Squeeze

Betting Strategy
December 27 2008

The big blind squeeze is a bold move that shouldn’t be practised very often. It works best in situations where a lot is on the line, like in the later stages of a tournament or Sit and Go. The move is basic in nature. All you do is make a big raise from the big blind position when it looks like the other players are weak.

The most common time to try a squeeze is when the button and small blind player limp into the hand. If either player had a good hand, either would most likely have raised with it. They’re limping into the hand with hopes of hitting a flop and winning with weaker cards. Raising the blinds up three or four times is usually enough to discourage their play.

The squeeze can even be performed if the button makes a small raise and the small blind calls. The button raise, depending on the aggression level of that player, will often just be a real estate raise to steal the blinds. The small blind has recognized the play and decided to call with a mediocre hand. Putting in a big raise in this situation makes the small blind expose whether he has a hand or not, and will often be good enough to pick up the chips that are in the pot so far.

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