Tourney Blinds in the transition from three-handed to heads-up (6 Viewers)

[Darson]

This is something that I don't know for sure but how I've been told is that when you go from three-handed to heads-up, the button posts the small blind and is first to act. Is this correct?

In the examples below:
Case A the button moves to the player 2 who then has to post SB twice and the BB automatically moves to Player 1.

Case C is nice and clean - the button moves to the player 3 who then has to post SB and the BB automatically moves to Player 1 and everything is right with the world

Case B is my problem: if we follow the button (bottom example), the new dealer is SB again and player 3 is BB again. Is this how it should be or is it that the button skips player 2 and goes to player 3 so that player 3 doesn't post BB twice in a row (top example)?

 

[DoubleEagle]

The small blind is always the button and is first to act.

 

[Wils]

As I understand it, the golden rule is no one skips a big blind. So the big blind acts as it always does when a player is busted out, and the new small blind is the dealer.

So yes, in scenario B, player 2 becomes the big blind and player 1 is the small blind/dealer.

 

[Chris Manzoni]

All you need to be concerned about is the Big Blind, a player can't be BB twice in a row. In scenario B the first solution is the correct one. A and C are both correct.

 

[Darson]

Thanks guys. What always confuses me is that the dealer button skips a player. Normally I just pay attention to the button and SB/BB takes care of itself. For the transition, if I focus on who is the BB then the dealer button and SB works itself out.

 

[Poker Zombie]

Only 3 things are sure in life: Death, Taxes, and the Big Blind.

The Big Blind is the key to tournament poker. There is always a BB.

SB can be dead. Dealer can be dead. But BB always moves, skips no-one, and tells you where the SB and the dealer goes. Unfortunately, people get hung up on the button sometimes, because it gets a big marker.

 

[BGinGA]

And although I am generally an advocate for using more chips, ~please~ don't introduce a BIG BLIND button into your tournaments. One big marker in the game is enough.

Nothing wrong with ALL-IN chips, however.

 

[Wils]

And although I am generally an advocate for using more chips, ~please~ don't introduce a BIG BLIND button into your tournaments. One big marker in the game is enough.

Nothing wrong with ALL-IN chips, however.

Dammit now you've pre-ruined the upcoming sale of my collection of Small Blind, Big Blind and Kill buttons (sad to say I don't have an All-In button).

(PS I've never used 'em)

 

[Poker Zombie]

I have a small blind and big blind marker as well as a matching dealer button for the set. I have no idea where they came from, but I know I didn't purchase them. I never used them, but if I did, it would be to indicate a missed blind.

However, to use them I would have to dig them out from the "samples" box, filed under "Don't Buy".
My samples box is portable so new hosts can borrow it, shuffle samples, and get a feel before buying. It's important to me to have a "Don't Buy"section in the case, so they know that "great deal on eBay" isn't a rare discovery. Some chips are just not worth the "savings".

 

[triflehead1]

Sorry to bring up an old thread… I was thinking about this the other day and want to know your thoughts… my question:-

Is there a dead SB or button when going from 3 to HU?

For example:

P1 (D) - P2 (SB) - P3 (BB)

If P1 (D) busts then the button moves back to P3 who then posts SB with P2 posting BB.

If P2 (SB) busts would the button move to that dead position with P3 posting SB and P1 posting BB, then hand after the button then moves back for P1 to post SB and P3 posting BB?

If P3 (BB) busts would the button move to P2 with a dead SB and just the BB on P1, then the button being dead next hand with P1 on SB and P2 on BB and then hand after button moving back to P2 to post SB and P1 on BB?

Thanks

 

[Poker Zombie]

When you are at 3 players then go to 2 players...

• Nobody can be the BB twice.

It's really that simple. Don't track the "button", track the Big Blind. There will always be a Big Blind. There does not need to be a Small Blind or a Dealer. Not intuitive, but that's the way it works.

 

[triflehead1]

When you are at 3 players then go to 2 players...

• Nobody can be the BB twice.

It's really that simple. Don't track the "button", track the Big Blind. There will always be a Big Blind. There does not need to be a Small Blind or a Dealer. Not intuitive, but that's the way it works.

Ok so there can be a dead button or small blind when going from 3 down to 2, gotcha

 

[Poker Zombie]

Ok so there can be a dead button or small blind when going from 3 down to 2, gotcha

...and nobody can be the Big Blind twice in a row.

 

[triflehead1]

...and nobody can be the Big Blind twice in a row.

Ok no problem

 

[Frogzilla]

Ok so there can be a dead button or small blind when going from 3 down to 2, gotcha

No there will never be dead SB

1) BB advances to the next player on the left as normal

2) DLR/SB is the other player

 

[MC_CPA]

And although I am generally an advocate for using more chips, ~please~ don't introduce a BIG BLIND button into your tournaments. One big marker in the game is enough.

This is a good point that I added to my events... presumably this includes both the SB and BB markers. Would your position change if you were hosting for beginners/frequently have new beginners, or if new players specifically request it, or is this a firm rule for you?