Questions regarding blind stealing %

Hello all. I have a couple of basic questions regarding the calculation of blind stealing %.

I see people talk about having a blind stealing % of 25% or 30%, is this referring to the number of times you try to steal from the button? or from the button and CO? Does it include any other positions?

Also, does it count as a "steal" if you have a premium hand that you raise and it gets folded to? Does it count if there were any other limpers/raisers that fold to your pre-flop raise or is it only a "blind steal" if just the blinds are involved?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Steal % in hold'em manager doesn't take into account your hand. Its defined as the percentage you raise when the other players fold to you in the cut-off, button, and small blind. If someone limped, you're not stealing.

chukky88 said:

To steal a blind,the most important thing is position. you cant steal if 2 players are in the hand,only if you have aa,kk or ak. very important is your opponent too,you have to see his strategy,if is an agresive player or if he folds almost every time when is a raise.

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Actually, his question was regarding the percentage statistic, so to correctly answer his question, it is irrelevant if he has AA or 27.

c9h13no3 said:

Steal % in hold'em manager doesn't take into account your hand. Its defined as the percentage you raise when the other players fold to you in the cut-off, button, and small blind. If someone limped, you're not stealing.

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Thanks for the definition and clarification, very helpful!

i have wondered how to know when to steal..seems like everytime i try..i run into a monster,..or someone who will fiercely defend the blinds with any 2 suited cards..lol..

Any suggestions for the Rook?

Good luck @ the tables

Halifax,

IMO, stealing is heavily dependent on the two players to your immediate left and the overall dynamics of the table. If you have a LAG or a calling station in the SB, BB, or that limped into the pot then a blind steal is probably not a good move.

When I sit down at a table I will usually let it run approximately 2 circuits and try to get some sort of read on the blinds, unless of course I just happen to get a nice hand ~AK-AT or AA-TT.

Once I have my read I will try small steals first raising 2.5 - 3xbb. If it works I keep it up, if they fight back I can easily get away. And if they fight back I will raise up to 4xbb then 5xbb then 6xbb. Basically, I feel it out until I get the right amount.

And some players will say by definition raising 5x or 6xbb on a steal is not profitable because you have to be successful too often, i.e. 6xbb would require 3 steals to turn a profit as 2 steals would technically break even. I tend to disagree, because even a steal that does not result in an automatic fold does not mean you give up the hand. You are still in position and may hit a flop.