Blinds and the button

The dealer button marks the nominal dealer position. In a game with three or more players, the next seat clockwise posts the small blind and the next posts the big blind.

Blinds create a pot to contest. They rotate with the button, so the same players do not always pay them. Antes, when used, are separate forced contributions.

Before the flop, action normally starts to the left of the big blind. After the flop, it starts with the first remaining player clockwise from the button.