What Does Defend Mean in Poker?
In poker, ‘defend’ refers to the action of calling or raising in response to a bet, particularly when in a position such as the big blind, to protect one’s initial investment or to contest for the pot.
When You Might Hear Or Use The Term Defend:
Players often discuss defending when talking about strategy from the big blind, especially in response to a raise from a late position, to ensure they are not easily bullied out of their blinds.
In-Game Example:
You’re in the big blind with 89. The cutoff raises, and rather than folding, you decide to defend by calling the raise to see the flop and potentially win the pot.
Strategy / Tips:
- Best Practice: Defend with a broad range of hands, especially suited connectors and high cards, to ensure you are not easily exploited by aggressive opponents.
- Common Mistake: Over-defending with weak hands that have little potential to improve.
- Pro Tips: Consider your opponents tendencies and adjust your defending range accordingly. Against frequent stealers, widen your defending range.
- Differences playing over the table vs online: Live players may rely more on physical tells, while online players should focus on bet sizing and timing tells.
Alternative Names:
Defending the blinds, Blind defense
FAQs:
- Q: Is defending the same as calling? A: While defending often involves calling, it can also include raising as a form of defense.
- Q: Should I always defend my big blind? A: Not always. Consider the strength of your hand, your opponents tendencies, and your stack size.
