Gambling Guide

In poker, the term steal is often used as merely a synonym for bluff, but there is a more specific use of the term which is also called an "ante steal" or "blind steal" (depending on whether the game being played uses antes or blinds).

To steal is to raise with a hand less valuable than what might normally be considered a raising hand, with the hope that the few players remaining will not have a hand worth calling the raise, thereby winning the antes or blinds without further action.

This play is used either in late position after several people have folded, or when the game is short-handed. Steals happen most often in tournaments due to the escalating ante/blind structure.

While steals like this don't win much money per hand, they can accumulate to considerable profit if the players to your left are passive enough to not contest many of your steals. Of course, skilled players will recognize repeated steal plays and frequently reraise for defense.

See also

• Poker jargon
• Poker strategy
  • Aggressive plays
  • Bluffing plays
  • Check-raise plays
  • Defense plays
  • Drawing plays
  • Isolation plays
  • Position plays
  • Protection plays
  • Slow plays

External links

• Theorem of Blind Stealing in Tournaments