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_Xceptional · Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 6:24 pm Post subject: Blind Defense - "The Resteal"

Hi, come on in. In today's class we'll explore a creative play aimed at building your stack by exploiting your opponents greed.

We're talking Blind Defense:

I compare this play to a defensive coordinator calling a blitz. The object here is to elminate a successful blind steal attempt from a late position raiser. We will do this through something called a re-steal. That's right, you're going to play back at the late position raiser from the blinds. If done successfully, we'll accomplish a couple things. We'll notify the table that our blinds aren't always up for grabs. We'll also take down a very juicy pot w/o having to showdown our hand.

If a player raises 3x the BB in the cutoff seat every single time, and folds to re-raises, you know that his/her holdings are marginal, and a raise 3x the BB is generally a steal attempt. Raising 3x the BB in late position doesn't require a premium hand. Early position raises are a different story, be wary of these. Remember, as position increases, starting hand requirements decrease. Make sure the player has layed down to the blind re-raise a couple of times; this validates your read a bit better. This play is very read dependant.

Re-steals are great because the amount of chips you gain with a successful re-steal is generally large compared to your stack size. Anytime you can build your stack w/o having to showdown is a great thing. It also notifies the table that your blinds aren't always up for grabs. Re-stealing may not be for everyone, it's a brave play, and sometimes dangerous.

With some collaboration between some fellow opponents and I, I've come to the conclusion that re-stealing should be done when stacks are deep, blinds are large, and antes have been thrown into the mix. Trying to pick off a player stealing blinds really has no benefit when there's not much money in the pot preflop, it's like throwing good money after bad. Another thing to think about is how deep your stack is in relation to your opponents. The last thing you want to have happen is attempt a re-steal only to realize your opponent is pot committed to moving all in to call. That's bad for many reasons, you're now exposing your hand regardless, and you're giving him an opportunity to double up through you when you're hand is weak. Don't make it an all in situation for either of you, pay close attention to who you're re-stealing from, it's very read dependant and stacks must be deep.

Raising 2.5x the blind stealers raise is a great number. It's not too large where someone will feel pot committed to move all in, and it's not too small, where that pot odds warrant a call every time. In relation to this, and the idea above, you don't want to re-raise all in, because ideally, you don't want a re-stealing situation to end up in a showdown. You're just looking to pick off the steal attempt, and scoop up a decent amount of chips with a medicore hand, sans the showdown.

Remember though, stacks must be deep. If you have 5K at blinds 400-800 75 ante, there will be 1875 in the pot, the blind stealer's raise will most likely be 2400. Therefore, a re-raise of 2.5x (the ideal amount we've concluded) will essentially be putting you all in. Resorting to an all in re-raise is not what you want, you're stack is not deep enough to re-steal then. Wait for a time when the stacks are deep, say you have 20K at 400-800 blinds 75 ante. It will be much more effective, and you can get off your hand if succomed to an all in.

Remember these key points to successful re-steals:

1. Stacks must be deep, roughly 25 big blinds or more
2. Good read on opponent trying to steal
3. Blind level must include antes
4. Re-raise 2.5x the original raise
5. Don't move all in, you're only getting called if beat

- Tony

malrah · Four of a Kind Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 303 Location: MN

I read this you first posted it, but didn't want to reply until I could apply it. As the timing of it was good as I start my slow crawl towards being more aggressive. (For record play only NL. Primary MTT and SNG�s. $11 and under�s)

The object here is to eliminate a successful blind steal attempt from a late position raiser
Early position raises are a different story, be wary of these.

I took this into account as I find myself most often trying, and able to, steal blinds two positions before the person UTG. Be it in a MTT or SNG. Everyone is playing so tight. When that happens aren�t you suppose to be looser. That whole tight\loose loose\tight thing.

We'll notify the table that our blinds aren't always up for grabs.

Yeah damn skippy! Who doesn�t spot the person you just know you can steam roll over for blinds. Know that person as used to me until a few months ago.

We'll also take down a very juicy pot w/o having to showdown our hand.

I use to think that winning showdowns was the way to win. Sure at the end of the MTT when you are at the final table with the large stack (because you have been a blind stealing SOB). It is more because you have been winning hands with out having to show your hand. Speaking for me at least. (guy can project right)

2. Good read on opponent trying to steal
4. Re-raise 2.5x the original raise

The other three-I kind of had in thought process. You just laid it out better. Will be working on numbers 2 and 4.

Number two goes with learning to take better notes. Or at least take advantage of the using the colors to represent different type of players.

Once you can do number two ( No poo jokes now. Okay just that one but only because South Park is on in background) then number four should be able to go hand in hand with it.

Gypsydc · Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 7:57 pm Post subject:

Also remember...someone paying attention will watch the blinds...if you're in them, and look seemingly uninterested in the action, someone may try a blind steal against you noticing that you've looked at your hand and are basically just waiting for your turn to fold. When you are in the blinds, even if you've looked down to find 72o...look interested, it may make someone think twice about a blind steal altogether.

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