Poker positions refer to a player’s seating arrangement at the table relative to the dealer button. Each position carries its own strategic advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a definition of each position:
UTG (Under The Gun): The first player to act in a hand, sitting immediately to the left of the Big Blind.
UTG+1 (and UTG+2): The second (and third) player to act, sitting immediately to the left of the UTG position.
LJ (Low Jack): The player sitting two seats to the right of the dealer button, also known as Middle Position 2 (MP2) in a 9-handed game.
HJ (High Jack): The player sitting one seat to the right of the dealer button.
CO (Cut Off): The player sitting directly to the right of the dealer button.
BTN (Button): The player in the dealer position, sitting last to act in all post-flop betting rounds.
SB (Small Blind): The Small Blind is the first player to the left of the dealer button and must post a forced bet, typically half the size of the Big Blind, before any cards are dealt.
BB (Big Blind): The Big Blind is the second player to the left of the dealer button and must post a forced bet, usually double the size of the Small Blind.
Now let’s explore the strategic considerations for each:
Early Position
Players in early positions are at a disadvantage because they have to act first in every betting round. Therefore, they should play a tighter range of hands, focusing on premium hands like AA, KK, QQ, AK, and occasionally AQ or JJ.
Middle Position
Players in middle positions can loosen their hand selection slightly compared to early positions. They have more information about other players’ actions, allowing them to play a broader range of hands, such as TT-88, AJ, KQ, and suited connectors like 98s or 87s.
Late Position
Late positions are the most advantageous because players in these seats act last in each betting round. They can play a wide range of hands, including speculative hands like small pairs, suited connectors, and suited one-gappers. Bluffing and stealing blinds are also effective strategies from these positions due to the added information and the positional advantage.
Blinds (SB and BB)
Small Blind (SB): The SB is a challenging position because the player has to act first in every betting round after the flop. Therefore, they should play a very tight range of hands and complete the blind with strong hands or hands that can flop well. Post-flop play from the SB often involves a lot of defensive strategies.
Big Blind (BB): The BB has slightly more flexibility since they already have a full big blind invested. They can defend their blind with a wider range of hands, especially against late position raises. However, post-flop play requires caution since they will be out of position for the rest of the hand.
General Positional Strategy Tips:
Tighter Early, Looser Late: Play tighter in early positions and progressively looser as you get closer to the button.
Utilize Position: Take advantage of your position by playing more hands and applying pressure when you’re in late positions.
Observe Opponents: Use your positional advantage to gather information about your opponents’ tendencies and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Steal Blinds: In late positions, particularly the cutoff and button, consider raising with a wider range of hands to steal the blinds.
Post-Flop Play: When out of position, play more cautiously and avoid bluffing too often. When in position, take control of the pot and consider bluffing or semi-bluffing when appropriate.
Understanding and utilizing position is crucial for long-term success in poker, as it significantly affects decision-making and overall strategy.
