What Is a Blind Interval in Poker?

In poker, a blind interval is a set amount of time between when one player is required to post a blind and when the next player is required to post a blind. The interval begins when the first player posts the blind and ends when the next player posts the blind.

The most common blind interval in poker is one rotation, or one full revolution of the dealer button. In a one-rotation interval, the small blind is posted by the player to the immediate left of the dealer button, and the big blind is posted by the player to the immediate left of the small blind.

The next small blind is then posted by the player to the immediate left of the big blind, and so on.

Other common intervals include two rotations (two full revolutions of the dealer button), four rotations (four full revolutions of the dealer button), and six rotations (six full revolutions of the dealer button).

PRO TIP:When playing poker, a blind interval is a specific period of time in which players must make mandatory bets known as ‘blinds’. These bets are made regardless of the cards in the player’s hand and act as an ante to the game. Blind intervals are usually determined before the game starts and increase in size during the course of play.

In some games, such as Omaha hi-low split-eight or better, there are two sets of blinds: The small blind is half of what would be considered a full bet, and the big blind is a full bet. In this case, a one-rotation interval would be two smallblinds followed by two bigblinds.

A two-rotation interval would be four smallblinds followed by four bigblinds. And so on.

The purpose of the blind interval is to give all players an opportunity to post a blind, regardless of their position at the table. Without a Blind Interval, players who are sitting in late position would have an unfair advantage over players in early position, as they would always have more information about how other players are betting before having to make their own decision.

The Blind Interval also adds an element of chance to the game, as players never know exactly when they will be required to post a blind. This can add excitement and suspense, especially in games with high stakes.