What does Blind mean in poker?

In poker, a Blind is a mandatory bet placed before the cards are dealt, without seeing the hand first. That is where the name comes from: the bet is posted “blind.” Most often, the term refers to the small blind and big blind.

How does it work?

Blinds create the starting pot and force players to take part in the action more actively. Without them, hands would become far too passive. In tournaments, blind levels increase over time, and that directly affects the cost of mistakes, the pressure on stack sizes, and the overall pace of play. That is why a blind is not just a technical detail, but one of the core elements of poker structure.