What does Buying the Button mean in Poker?

Introduction

Buying the Button rule in Poker keeps the game fair and running smoothly but also influences how and when you enter a cash game. While it allows you to start playing immediately and gain an early positional advantage, it also comes with potential drawbacks. Knowing when to take this option and when to wait can make a difference in your overall profitability.

Let’s explore the impact of this Poker rule in detail.

What is Buy the Button in Poker?

In a cash game, when a new player sits at the table, they usually have two options:

1. Wait for the big blind to reach their position before playing.
2. Post a big blind immediately to join the action.

With the ‘Buy the Button’ rule, the player has a third option:

The player posts both the big blind and a dead small blind to enter the game immediately.

They receive the dealer button on the next hand, ensuring a fair rotation of blinds.

This rule is commonly used in live cash games and online poker rooms to keep the game fast-paced and prevent new players from gaining an unfair advantage by skipping blinds.

How Buy the Button Works

Step 1: A New Player Sits Down at the Table

A new player joins an ongoing cash game. Their position relative to the button determines how they can buy the button.

Step 2: The Player Posts Blinds Based on Their Position

• If the player sits between the button and the small blind:

They must post a big blind and a dead small blind (which goes to the pot).

• If the player sits directly to the right of the big blind:

They post only the big blind.

Step 3: The Player Plays Their First Hand

The hand is played as usual, and the new player is now part of the game.

Step 4: The Player Receives the Button Next Hand

After the first hand is completed, the button moves to the new player on the next hand.

Examples of Buy the Button

Example 1: Player Joins Between the Button and Small Blind

• Game Type: ₹50/₹100 No-Limit Hold'em
• Current Button: Seat 6
• New Player Sits At: Seat 4 (between the button and small blind)

Action:

The new player posts ₹100 (big blind) and ₹50 (dead small blind).

The hand plays as usual.

On the next hand, the new player receives the button.

The player can start playing immediately.

The player does not get an unfair advantage of skipping blinds.

Example 2: Player Joins to the Right of the Big Blind

• Game Type: ₹200/₹400 No-Limit Hold'em
• Current Button: Seat 8
• New Player Sits At: Seat 6 (directly right of the big blind)

Action:

The new player posts ₹400 (big blind) and ₹200 (dead small blind) to buy the button.

The hand plays as usual.

On the next hand, the new player receives the button.

The player avoids waiting multiple hands to play.

This ensures that the player can join immediately without bypassing the small blind, which is key to keeping the game balanced.

Advantages of Buying the Button

1. Immediate Participation

In a fast-paced cash game, waiting for the big blind to reach you can be frustrating, especially if you're eager to get involved in the action. By buying the button, you can instantly enter the game, making it ideal if you don’t want to waste time sitting out.

2. Button Control and Positional Advantage

By buying the button, you ensure that you will have the dealer button on the very next hand. The dealer button is the most powerful position at the table since it allows you to act last in betting rounds. Having position allows you to play a wider range of hands profitably, making this a significant advantage.

3. Fair Entry Without Frustrating Other Players

When a player joins a game and waits for the big blind to reach them, it can sometimes frustrate other players who feel that the newcomer is avoiding blinds. ‘Buy the Button’ removes this concern by ensuring that every player pays their fair share of blinds.

Disadvantages of Buying the Button

1. Posting Extra Chips (Dead Small Blind)

In some situations, when you buy the button, you are required to post an extra ‘dead small blind’. This blind goes into the pot but does not count toward your actual bet. This means you are paying extra money without gaining any immediate betting advantage. While it is a small amount compared to the overall game stakes, it can add up over time if you frequently re-enter games.

2. Immediate Blind Commitment Without Observing the Table

When you enter a game, you ideally want to take a few hands to observe how other players are playing. Who are the aggressive players? Who are the tight players? Who bluffs often? When you buy the button, you immediately jump into action without getting this valuable information. 

Buy the Button Vs. Other Blind Posting Rules

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Poker games allow ‘Buy the Button’?

Poker games use Buy the Button to prevent players from avoiding blinds unfairly. Without this rule, a new player could sit down and wait for the big blind to pass, gaining a free advantage. This rule ensures every player contributes fairly while maintaining smooth gameplay. It also lets new players join immediately instead of waiting for multiple hands, which keeps the game fast-paced.

Do all Poker games use ‘Buy the Button’?

No, not all Poker games follow this rule. Many live Poker rooms and online cash games allow it, but some games require players to wait for the big blind. Home games often have flexible rules, so it’s best to confirm before joining. If a game doesn’t use Buy the Button, players usually have to either wait for the big blind or post a mandatory blind before playing.

What happens if don’t buy the button?

If you don’t want to buy the button, you must wait until the big blind naturally reaches your position. This means you may have to sit out a few hands before playing. Some Poker rooms may also require you to post a dead blind if you choose to wait, ensuring that you don’t gain an unfair advantage by skipping blinds.

Is ‘Buy the Button’ used in Poker tournaments?

No, this rule is generally only used in cash games. In Poker tournaments, all players enter at the same time, and blinds increase over time, making ‘Buy the Button’ unnecessary. In a tournament, late entries simply take their seat and follow the blind structure without needing to post extra blinds.

Conclusion

‘Buy the Button’ is a fair and convenient way to join a Poker cash game without disrupting the blind structure. By understanding both the benefits and drawbacks of this rule, you can make informed decisions that maximize your advantage at the Poker table.