Blinds is a poker term that refers to forced bets players are required to place.
An important thing to note is that blinds are not the same as the ante. While everyone at the poker table is required to pay the ante, blinds are only placed by two players to the left of the player on the button.
In poker, there are two types of blinds — small and big blinds — and you should always check their size before you sit down at the table. The player to the left of the player on the button will pay the small blind while the one on his left pays the big blind.
For example, let’s say that you’re playing at a $1/$2 blinds table. If the player in the 6 o’clock position has the button, the player in the 9 o’clock position is required to pay $1 while the player in the 12 o’clock position has to pay $2. The player in the 3 o’clock position isn’t required to pay anything.
However, if the player in the 3 o’clock position wants to call, he needs to pay $2, and the player who paid the small blind needs to add additional $1 to play the hand. The player on the big blind can see the flop without having to pay anything extra unless someone raises before the flop.