I was checking out a pretty good looking 10/20 limit holdem game and witnessed the small blind limp in heads up against the big blind. There was an open seat between the two of them, so naturally I sat down thinking that I had found a good seat.

The dealer asked if I wanted to buy the button, but it was only my second time sitting in 10/20 and perhaps I was a little scared. I should've either bought the button or came in after the button passed. I chose to wait for the big blind. One guy says, "Well if he's not gonna play then I'm out." Then another, and another. The game ended up breaking within a minute all because I was being a nit.

Lesson learned.

It was going to break anyway. They would have let you buy the button but one of them would get up on his big blind and the whole thing cascades

if they will do that you dont want to be playing in that kind of game anyway. and as said they likely would have quit after you put your blinds in.

in any case because someone limps in the sb against the big isnt a good reason to think the game is good. it can be a very sound play many times.

Wait, as a new player, is buying the button even an option? I thought it was only for someone who had missed a big blind as a player already in the game? Is this just about posting to join the game (I know some places force new players to post or to wait for the BB)?

most places require a new player to post the big blind or wait for it. some require to wait for it or post all blinds, which is fairest along with buying the button.

otherwise each of the existing players are subsidizing each new player that comes along.

a few still let a new player buyin behind the button and get a free round at the players who start the games expense. in places that do that it is foolish to start the game for them. just wait till it gets going and buy in behind the button. if all the regs. did that they would change it quickly.

You can buy the button as a new player. Posting in the CO is definitely better since you wouldn't have to pay the dead SB.

As other have said, getting back in the game is probably more important than worrying about tiny fractions of a blind. If you're in EP, take BB. If you're in LP, post. If you've just missed the BB, buy the button. Just don't do something that has you sitting there for 5+ hands.

For the record, I agree with callipygian that buying the button or posting both blinds in CO is too close to call one way or the other.

You can buy the button as a new player at Foxwoods.

buying the button has become the standard for anyone missing the blinds or new players.

I think that more often than not in a 1/2 blind structure it's a sign of a bad player. The exception being when the small blind is exploiting a passive big blind. 2/3 blind structures sure limping is fine.

Seeing the dude limp in the small blind was just icing on what looked like a delicious cake of limpers and coldcallers.

Standard in US maby.. not so much in europe.
US seems to be bit more on the leading edge when it comes to giving players options regarding the game.

I would like to have the option to buy the button (and few others I have seen)..

europe is certainly different in things they do. but buying the button wasnt common until fairly recently. all it took was the players to keep asking for it. this is one of the changes that doesnt cost the casino any money and actually helps it.

so try asking at your place and get others to ask for it. good luck.

The one thing the math above doesn't calculate is how waiting for your BB changes people's image of you.

At a 1/2 NL or a 2/4 FL game, almost nobody notices and most of those who do notice don't know what to do with that information. But playing higher it will be noticed and have an impact on things.

One of the lessons I learned about Poker over the years I've been playing is how to cultivate an image and how to use the image you cultivate. It's not a huge edge, but I like to think when a Reg doesn't know I'm skilled that I can exploit that for value in key spots until he figures it out.

the bad players dont pay much attention to your image by passing the blind. the better players will think you know a little and maybe are tight. but i would rather them think that than be isolating me in the pots. and they will see quickly the hands you play or not play and read approximately what you have.

in general i buy the button or post behind depending on the players.