Why these bet sizes?

[Bad Lobster]

This is a theoretical question I've never seen addressed--what's the reasoning behind the bet structures we see in poker?

Specifically, the notion of blind bets, small bets for the first two rounds and double-size bets for the last two rounds, in Hold 'em? How did whoever designed the rules settle on this bet schedule?

What effect would it have on the game, for instance, if the later bets were triple the size of the early bets? Or the same size? Would it make the game less competitive? Less fun?

[shaundeeb]

there are games spread like that but rarely in a casino a lot of private clubs have 3/6/12 or 20/40/60 there are many variants to poker blinds and antees included search around if you want to try something new.

[alphatmw]

if they were the same in later rounds, then almost any hand has odds to call down to the river. just imagine a game where people ante $5, then can only bet/raise $1 at a time. terrible game right? well, i imagine the double bets in the later rounds are meant to prevent the game from becoming like that.

[PokrLikeItsProse]

Blind bets are there to force action. Poker sucks if you can just wait for premium hands.

[Louie Landale]

Old holdem had a small ante and a single small blind; 25c ante and $1 blind in the 3-6 game. The ante slowed down the game and the tight nits had a field day.

Malmuth has at least somewhat hinted that's Darwinism dictatates the structure.

- Louie