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Poker's all about position, man. Where you sit at the table determines when you act, the info you have to make decisions, and how much cash you pile up. Sure, good players make dough from any position, but nailing poker positions helps you max out your edge and winnings.
What are poker positions?
Poker seating positions refer to the distance from the dude dealing the cards. The dealer button rotates one seat clockwise after each hand, so everyone gets a taste of every position throughout the game. It's key to the game's fairness - some spots offer advantages, but everyone gets an equal shot.
You'll know your position by the dealer button. In a nine-player game, seats to the left of the dealer are "early positions," while those to the right are "late positions," and the middle ones are in between.
What's "in position" mean in poker?
Being "in position" is awesome since you act after your opponents on each bet round. That means better pot control, easy bluffin', and smarter decisions overall. Sittin' on the dealer button? After watchin' your opponents check or bet timidly, you can choose to value-bet or bluff 'cause they showed a weak spot. That's a positional advantage one of poker's biggest tools.
What's "out of position" mean in poker?
Bein' "out of position" sucks 'cause you gotta act first, makin' decisions without knowin' how opponents will respond. Sittin' in the small blind? You must act before everyone else. It ain't impossible to win, but it's tough. With selective hand ranges, cautious play, and well-timed aggression, you can reduce the positional disadvantage.
Absolute vs Relative Position
Yer absolute position is fixed relative to the dealer button for the current hand. Being on the button means you'll act last after the flop no matter what. Relative position depends on who's still in the hand. Even with a good absolute position, if aggressive players remain to act behind, your relative position becomes more difficult to play.
Nine-Handed Poker Positions
In a 9-player game, there's four blinds, five middle positions, and the dealer position.
Blinds:
- Small Blind (SB): Posts half the big blind, acts first after the flop
- Big Blind (BB): Posts the full blind amount, acts last pre-flop
Early Positions:
- Under the Gun (UTG): First to act pre-flop
- UTG+1: Second to act
- UTG+2: Third to act
Middle Positions:
- Lojack (LJ): Fourth to act
- Hijack (HJ): Two seats right of the dealer
- Cutoff (CO): One seat right of the dealer
Late Position:
- Dealer (BTN): Acts last after the flop
Strategy for Each Poker Position
Small Blind (SB)
Playin' from the small blind is a challenge. Yer playin' 'fore seein' yer cards and actin' first after the flop. Focus on strong hands like big pairs (AA+) and face cards (like AK, AQ). When you got a good hand, consider raisin' big before the flop to take control. In pots with multiple players, play very carefully unless you got a really good hand.
Big Blind (BB)
The big blind ain't all bad despite actin' first. Since you already put in a full bet, you get better odds to call before the flop and get to act last in this round. That means you can play more hands than from the small blind. After the flop, keep your play straightforward with good hands and mix in some check-raises against aggressive players. When players in late positions raise, you can call with more hands but be ready to fold if they keep pushin'.
Under the Gun (UTG)
Playin' first (UTG) means actin' careful. Stick to premium hands like big pairs (TT+), face cards with good kicks, and strong connected suited cards like KQs. When other players show strength, be ready to fold weaker hands and continue with stronger ones that dominate what they might have.
Middle Positions
Middle positions are a good balance of freedom and caution. You can start playin' more hands like suited Aces, connected cards, and all pairs. Stay aggressive with yer good hands but be careful when players in better positions show strength. Avoid risky situations without really strong hands.
Late Positions
Late positions are great for stealin' pots and gettin' value from good hands. You can play lots of hands includin' all pairs, suited connectors, and face cards. Keep yer aggressive play consistent but stay aware of strong players in the blinds.
Don't be a sit 'n' git playerβmaster position and rule the table!
- In poker, poker positions refer to the distance from the dealer, with early positions being to the left of the dealer and late positions to the right, and the dealer position offering an advantage due to acting last after the flop.
- Being "in position" in poker means acting after one's opponents on each bet round, providing better pot control, easier bluffing, and smarter decisions overall. This positional advantage is one of the biggest tools in poker.
- On the other hand, "out of position" means having to act first, making decisions without knowing how opponents will respond. This positional disadvantage can be mitigated through selective hand ranges, cautious play, and well-timed aggression.
