I have a betting question

[pokerTim]

I hope this isn't a dumb question. When I post either the BB or the SB are those considered bets or just for the pot?

When it comes back to me again, do I still need to call, raise or fold or is the BB or SB already counted as a bet.

[shorn7]

In the SB, if no one has raised you will need to complete the amount to the BB to continue playing. In the BB if no one has raised, you can check and see the flop for "free".

The best way to look at it is that once you post those blinds, that $$ is in the pot. The decision to continue playing needs to be based on the same factors as before while taking into account that you are getting a discount to play the hand (since to call it is less, so play a bit looser) and the fact that your position is horrible (as you will have to act first or second on each successive betting round).

Hope this helps.

Shorn

[weirdofreek]

The blinds are bets that you are forced to make before seeing your cards. Since they are bets all the rules of betting applies if noone raises your forced bet you are not required to put any more in the pot to play. The SB is the same thing but since it is less than the BB you must call the bet made by the BB if you want to play, same as everyone else, but since you already "called" half the bet it will only cost you another half to call.

[pokerTim]

Thanks for your help everyone.