What is the small and big blind for in the game of poker?

Question

also, should you always stay in when you're showing a pocket ace?

Answer 1

Blinds are forced bets that start the pot in certain poker games. The blinds do not get to look at their cards before posting the bets, hence the name "blinds".

The player immediately to the left of the dealer is the small blind; he must post a bet one half the size of the minimum bet. The player immediately to the left of the small blind is the big blind; he must post a bet equal to the minimum bet.

Action then starts with the player to the immediate left of the big blind. Each player must call the amount of the big blind if they wish to stay in the hand or, if someone raises, must call the raise.
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As for whether you should "always stay in" with a pocket ace, the answer is NO.

An ace with a small card (e.g. A4) is vulnerable to being outkicked and thus, being second best at showdown. Avoid playing anything lower than A9 unless:
1) You're in late position, there are several players already in the pot, and your ace is suited (this plays better in limit than no-limit hold'em. You're really looking for the flush here, so play top pair cautiously).
2) You're on the button and either nobody or just one player has called, not raised (but be careful, somebody might just call with something like A9).
3) You're playing at a shorthand table (5 or fewer players) where the possibility of being outkicked by another ace is less likely.

Answer 2

if they didn't have blinds then you would just sit around all day waiting for aces or kings. As for the other question, if you are saying should i play every ace, i would say no, no, and no, playing hands like ace rag (A-4, A-5) are very dangerous. You should only play ace small in position and never in a raised pot, you are to often dominated by bigger hands like a-k, and a-q so even if you hit you ace you still in trouble .Playing ace small on the button or in a blind in an unraised pot i would try to steal in a tight game and just give it up in a loose game. Just remember if your going to play a bad hand always come in for a raise, never call bets with marginal hands that suicide.

Answer 3

It is to force the action. It builds the pot and lures more people into playing the hand.

Answer 4

forced bets that go up as you continue playing, go to a FREE poker site and play

Answer 5

Forced bets to insure there is money in th epot. It helps "create" action.