THE Debate

Ok. I've asked this question to many people I play poker against and I get both answers. So, I'll ask you. In heads up, is the dealer the big blind or small blind. I thought the dealer was the big blind. Some peopel agree with me and some say I'm wrong. I need a concrete answer like a direct quote from the rules. Thanks on advance for anyone who could help me get the answer.

31. In heads-up play with two blinds, the small blind is on the button.

This is from Robert's Rules of Poker. Chapter 15 in regards to Tournments.
The benefit of this is that you (dealer) get to act last after the flop ect.
I hope this helps.

http://www.lasvegasvegas.com/poker/rules.php

This is the site i got the answer from.

The small blind is the dealer. A lot of heads up players, partiucarly bad ones, do not give enough value to position in HU play, yet it is far more important to be in position in Hu than at a full table.

For instance, inexperienced players, who try to be agressive, raise when the SB calls, meaning if they are called they are out of position (having to act 1st after the flop). this often means they have to bet out to take the pot, even if the flop misses them, which in HU play will be the majority of the time

Always be aware of your position in a HU match and do not raise out of position with rubbish, otherwise you will find your stack dwindling pretty quick

the person after the dealer would be the small blind as in normal play and then the next person which in heads up would be the dealer would be the big blind.so the dealer would have the choice to call or raise first but last to act after the first round of betting.

colin_147 said:

The small blind is the dealer. A lot of heads up players, partiucarly bad ones, do not give enough value to position in HU play, yet it is far more important to be in position in Hu than at a full table.

For instance, inexperienced players, who try to be agressive, raise when the SB calls, meaning if they are called they are out of position (having to act 1st after the flop). this often means they have to bet out to take the pot, even if the flop misses them, which in HU play will be the majority of the time

Always be aware of your position in a HU match and do not raise out of position with rubbish, otherwise you will find your stack dwindling pretty quick

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I couldn't disagree more Colin. Position is important in heads up, but playing out of position is not the disadvantage that it is at a full table. Since the flop will miss either you or your opponent 32% of the time often the first to act will take the pot. Further more it is important to raise the BB with any better than average hand. This takes away the SB's 3:1 odds to call with any two cards. It won't take long before your opponent, will start dicarding his weaker hands. Heads-up is ALL about expoloiting small advantages.
Does this make me inexperienced?

gordo30 said:

the person after the dealer would be the small blind as in normal play and then the next person which in heads up would be the dealer would be the big blind.so the dealer would have the choice to call or raise first but last to act after the first round of betting.

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No gordo. The Button (dealer) is the SB and 1st to act. This rule reversed itself about 30 years ago when it was determined that there wasn't enough incentive for the SB to play against a minimum raise.

Amen to the button=SB we was just discussing this very subject with JL and TB, at pokertime in heads up the BB is the button I dunno seems like they the only ones like that. in live SB=Button