Councilman's Corner -Ep. 3-How to Defend the Big Blind Like a Pro: Lessons From Daniel Negreanu, a Review.

In today’s poker tournaments, the min-raise has become the standard opening size. That shift dramatically impacts how the big blind (BB) should play—especially because the BB already has money invested and receives the best pot odds at the table.

In this lesson, Daniel breaks down how to defend the big blind in modern tournament play. His approach centers on three key concepts:

1. Defending vs. Minimum Raises

2. Showing Discipline Post-Flop

3. Adjusting Your Defense Based on Your Opponent

Let’s dive into each of these critical ideas.

1. Defend Very Wide Against Min-Raises

Min-raises give the big blind excellent pot odds—so good, in fact, that you should be defending extremely wide, almost automatically.

A Real Example Daniel Gives:

• Blinds: 400 / 800

• Antes: 100 each at a 9-handed table → 900 total in antes

• Pot before action: 2,100

• Opponent min-raises to: 1,600

• Your cost to call: 800

You’re calling 800 to win 3,700.

That’s nearly 5-to-1 on your money. (3700 ÷ 800 = 4.625) We’ll discuss and go into a deep dive on how to calculate pot odds in a future episode.

Why that matters:

Hands like 10/6 offsuit, J/3 suited, or 9/4 spades often have enough equity to justify a call.

Daniel even takes it a step further:

“If your opponent literally shows you A clubs/A diamonds and you have 9/4 clubs, you should still call because the math is that good.”

That’s the power of pot odds.

Bottom line: Against min-raises, defending very wide is not just allowed—it’s the correct play. No matter what anyone else says!

2. But Remember to Stay Disciplined Post-Flop (Reverse Implied Odds)

The pot odds justify calling pre-flop, but you still have a problem: you’re out of position and holding a weak hand.

This is where reverse implied odds come into play.

Definition: Reverse Implied Odds

The opposite of implied odds which estimate what additional chips you will win should you complete a draw or make a better hand than your opponent, reverse implied odds estimate how much you will lose should you complete your draw yet make a hand that is worse than your opponent's. For example, if you are drawing to a low flush and hit your hand yet find yourself up against an opponent drawing to a better flush, reverse implied odds refer to how much you'll lose should the flush be completed. https://www.pokernews.com/pokerterms/reverse-implied-odds.htm

The danger:

Weak hands often flop weak pairs—just good enough to lose big pots.

Example:You defend with 9/4 clubs, the flop comes 9-6-3, and you now have top pair with a bad kicker. It looks good… but you’re guessing, and good opponents can and will exploit that, leaving you on the losing end.

Daniel’s post-flop guidelines:

• Play cautiously with the bottom of your range.

• Try to see cheap flops, hit something, and proceed logically.

• Don’t overplay marginal top pairs or weak draws.

• Mix in some bluffs, but sparingly.

The message is simple: Pre-flop math makes the call correct. Post-flop discipline makes it profitable.

3. Adjust Your Defense Based on Who’s Raising

This is where elite players separate themselves from the field.

You should not defend the same vs. every opponent.

Against strong players:

• Play tighter.

• Avoid marginal spots. Translation…LEARN TO FOLD!

• They will outplay you in position.

If a crusher like Phil Ivey or Tom Dwan min-raises your BB, folding more of the marginal junk is wise.

Definition: Marginal Junk

Marginal junk hands are neither strong enough to confidently raise nor weak enough to be considered entirely unplayable in every single scenario. Their potential value is highly dependent on factors like your position at the table, the actions of other players, and the community cards that fall on the flop. 

Examples often include: Low pairs: Pocket 2s through 6s. They need to hit a set (three of a kind) on the flop to be strong, otherwise they are easily beaten by any higher pair. Gapped cards: Hands that are not connected and do not have strong high cards, such as J-9 offsuit, T-8 offsuit, or 5-3 suited. The larger the gap, the smaller the chance of making a straight. Weak Aces/Kings (offsuit): Hands like A-8 offsuit or K-7 offsuit. If you hit top pair, your weak kicker can put you in a problematic situation against an opponent with a better kicker. Weak suited connectors: Mid to Lower suited connectors like 2/3 suited to 7/8 suited. They have drawing potential for straights and flushes but require favorable flops to become strong hands. https://www.pokernews.com/pokerterms/marginal-hand.htm

Against weak players:

• Defend wider.

• You’ll outplay them after the flop.

• These hands become big long-term winners.

Key idea:

Identify the players you don’t want to play big pots against.If the opener is skillful, tighten up.If the opener is exploitable, loosen up.

Final Takeaway

Defending the big blind against min-raises is one of the most important—and most misunderstood—parts of modern tournament poker.

Daniel’s core principles tie everything together:

1. Pot odds matter.

You should defend very wide vs. min-raises.

2. Reverse implied odds matter.

Weak hands require careful post-flop discipline.

3. Player skill matters.

Tighten vs. strong players.Loosen vs. weak ones.

Master these three ideas and your big blind defense will improve dramatically, making you tougher to exploit, harder to push around, and far more profitable in the long run.

For more info check out Daniel Negreanu's YouTube blog here: @dnegspoker

Until next time, may all your cards be gems and may you never get stacked.

~The Councilman

You can reach the Lance at lance@misfitspoker.com or via FB messenger @lancejpalmer.

Catch him at a venue (our Locations) and ask for his number, he’ll give it to you.

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