[MadSpazz]

I have been reading some posts and noticed that some people play cash games, or even tournaments, where the small blind and the big blind are the same (ie. .25/.25 nlhe). I was wondering why people use this system and what the disadvantages are? Also, how many big blinds do you allow your players to buy in for? And finally, do you use antes, and what percent of the big blind is the ante? Thanks for any and all help you can offer.

[littlebu]

It's mainly recommended for cash games. It saves the amount(gasp) of chips that need to be purchased. In the .25/.25 ex. you used the common sb would be .10 and you would only be using the chips for the blind as common raises are
3-4xBB so it saves you from having to purchase chips just to use for the blinds.

[jdunford]

Sometimes a tournament will start with, for example, 25-25 blinds at level 1, moving to 25-50 for level 2. In fact, I think this is used for a WSOP T1500 Omaha event. It just saves having a smaller denom that will become obsolete and need to be coloured up early.

[dad604]

The reason that SB and BB are the same is when it is small such as 25 cents. It save having to use 5 or 10 cent chips. The other way to solve the problem is to have just one blind. There are also games where the SB is not exactly 1/2 the BB, such as 1/3, 2/5 etc. for a 3/6 or 5/10 game. That is also to save having to use 50 cent chips.

[jdunford]

Originally Posted by littlebu

In the .25/.25 ex. you used the common sb would be .10 ...

I prefer the 0.125 chip, but it makes cashing out difficult. Half-penny coins are more expensive than casino fractionals!

[Quads]

Originally Posted by MadSpazz

I have been reading some posts and noticed that some people play cash games, or even tournaments, where the small blind and the big blind are the same (ie. .25/.25 nlhe). I was wondering why people use this system and what the disadvantages are?

There aren't really any disadvantages (IMO- others may feel differently) unless you are looking for a tight / tighter playing table, and or like to often weed out the SB and BB, moreso the SB. One thing it does is forces more action on the table, and can generate more action, in unraised pots, because you are guaranteed 2 players in the pot with you. It does force you to play your position more aggressively, and more frequently, due to the added players in the pot. I love it, and am a huge fan of it. In fact, one of the juiciest games in town is the $5/5 NL game at the MGM.

Also, how many big blinds do you allow your players to buy in for?

Personally, I don't like to cap my games and their buy in. If I'm hosting a lower stakes games (something in the $1/2 to 2/5-ish range) I typically ask that people buy in no more than $500. Generally speaking, something in the 150-ish BB is a fair buy in. The other option I'm considering is having people buy in up to the amount in which is equal to the big stack on the table.

And finally, do you use antes, and what percent of the big blind is the ante? Thanks for any and all help you can offer.

In tourneys, yes.
In cash games, once in a while, depending on the game and players.
As an example, in a $5/10 NL game, uncapped buy in, I like seeing a $2 or $3 ante. Again, something to force action on the table.

[4ceps]

regarding antes in a tourney.

i usually set my antes to max at 1/4 of sb (or 1/8 of bb)