Poker Positions: The Secret Weapon You’re Probably Ignoring
Hey poker enthusiasts!
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a collection of chips, a hand of cards, and a table full of faces, wondering how some players seem to have an almost supernatural ability to win more often, I’ve got a secret for you. It’s not always about flashy bluffs or incredible card reads (though those help!). Often, the biggest advantage lies in something much more fundamental: poker position.
I remember when I first started playing seriously. I was so focused on my own cards, trying to make the best hand possible. I’d bet and raise when I thought I had a good hand, and fold when I didn’t. It worked… sometimes. But I was leaving so much money on the table without even realizing it. Then, I stumbled upon the concept of poker position, and it was like a lightbulb went off. The game suddenly made so much more sense.
So, what exactly is poker position, and why is it such a big deal? Let’s dive in!
Understanding “Position” in Poker
In poker, “position” refers to where you are seated relative to the dealer button. The dealer button is the marker that indicates who is the dealer for that hand. The action in poker moves clockwise around the table, starting from the player to the immediate left of the big blind.
The core idea is simple: the later your position, the more information you have about your opponents’ actions before you have to make your own decision. This information is incredibly valuable, and understanding how to leverage it is a cornerstone of successful poker strategy.
Think of it this way: if you’re one of the first players to act (in early position), you have no idea what anyone else is going to do. You’re essentially flying blind. But if you’re one of the last players to act (in late position), you’ve seen several other players make their decisions. This gives you a significant edge in determining the strength of your hand and the likely strength of your opponents’ hands.
The Names of the Poker Positions
While the exact names can sometimes vary slightly depending on the game and the table, here’s a breakdown of the most common poker positions:
Here’s a table to help visualize:
Position Name Abbreviation Description
Small Blind SB The player to the immediate left of the dealer button, who posts the smaller mandatory bet.
Big Blind BB The player to the left of the Small Blind, who posts the larger mandatory bet. They are the first to act pre-flop if no one raises.
Under the Gun UTG The first player to act after the blinds. They are in the “worst” position as they have the least information.
Early Position EP Generally refers to the players acting shortly after Under the Gun. They still have limited information.
Middle Position MP Positions between early and late positions. You start to see a few actions before you, giving you a bit more context.
Late Position LP Positions just before the blinds. This is where you have the most information as most players have already acted.
Cutoff CO The position directly to the right of the dealer button. A highly advantageous position for attacking the button.
Button BTN The dealer. This is the most powerful position in poker as you act last on every post-flop street.
Let’s break down why each of these positions is important:
The Blinds (Small Blind & Big Blind)
These are the mandatory bets posted before any cards are dealt. As the names suggest, the Small Blind is half the size of the Big Blind. These players are essentially forced to put money into the pot without seeing their cards, which makes them inherently at a disadvantage.
Small Blind: The player in the Small Blind is immediately to the left of the button. They are one of the first to act post-flop.
Big Blind: The player in the Big Blind is to the left of the Small Blind. They are the last to act pre-flop if no one raises but are still one of the first to act post-flop.
Under the Gun (UTG)
This is the first player to act after the blinds. They are in the “Under the Gun” position, facing the full table of potential actions.
Why it’s tough: You have no idea what anyone else will do. If you have a strong hand, you might miss out on getting more value if you don’t bet aggressively. If you have an average hand, you might be betting into a monster hand without knowing it. You need a very strong hand to play from UTG.
Early Position (EP)
These are the players immediately after Under the Gun. While slightly better than UTG, they still have limited information.
Strategy: Play tight. Stick to premium hands like big pairs (AA, KK, QQ) and strong broadway cards (AK, AQ).
Middle Position (MP)
The middle positions offer a bit more breathing room. You’ve seen a few players act, giving you some clues about the table’s dynamics.
Strategy: You can begin to widen your starting hand range slightly. Hands that might be too weak for EP can be playable here, especially if the players before you have folded.
Late Position (LP)
This is where things start to get interesting! The players in late position have seen most of the other players make their decisions.
Strategy: This is where you can really start to apply pressure. You have a better idea of whether there are strong hands in play, making it easier to steal blinds, continuation bet effectively, and make profitable bluffs.
The Cutoff (CO)
Directly to the right of the button. This is a fantastic position!
Why it’s great: You’re almost last to act. You can observe the button player’s tendencies, and if they’re tight, you can steal the pot from them with a wider range of hands.
The Button (BTN)
This is the most powerful position in poker. The player on the button is the last to act on every post-flop street (flop, turn, and river).
The ultimate advantage: You have information on everyone else. You can see if anyone has bet or raised, giving you an unparalleled ability to control the size of the pot, bluff, value bet, and make the most profitable decisions possible. As the legendary poker player Doyle Brunson famously said, “Position is the deadliest weapon in poker.”
Why Position Matters So Much
Let’s break down the benefits of playing in later positions:
Information is Power: As mentioned, acting last means you have more information. You see who is strong, who is weak, who is bluffing, and who is playing tight. This allows you to make more informed decisions.
Stealing Blinds: From late position, you can often steal the blinds and antes from players who have folded. This is free money that adds up significantly over time.
Controlling the Pot Size: When you have a strong hand, you can bet to build a bigger pot. When you have a marginal hand or want to bluff, you can control the pot size to make your play more effective.
Reduced Risk of Being Outdrawn: When you’re in position, you have the last say. If you bet and get called, you can see what the opponent does on the next street before committing more chips. This reduces the chances of them hitting their card and outdrawing you.
More Profitable Bluffs: Bluffing is more effective when you’re in position. You can wait to see weakness from your opponents and then represent a strong hand, knowing they have to act before you.
How to Play Different Positions
Here’s a simplified guide to hand selection based on position. Remember, these are general guidelines and can change based on your opponents, stack sizes, and the specific game dynamics.
Early Position (EP) – Including UTG
Play Tight: You need very strong hands.
Recommended Hands: AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AKs, AKo, AQs.
Goal: To get value from strong hands and avoid difficult spots with marginal hands.
Hand Category Examples Playability from EP
Premium Pairs AA, KK, QQ Always play
Strong Pairs JJ, TT, 99 Play with caution
Premium Broadways AKs, AKo, AQs, KQs Play with caution
Other Strong Hands AJs, KJs, QJs, TT, 99, 88 (depending on table) Fold
Middle Position (MP)
Widen Range Slightly: Can play a few more hands than EP, especially if action folds to you.
Recommended Hands: Add hands like TT, 99, 88, 77, AQo, AJo, KJo, QJo, T9s, 98s.
Goal: To steal blinds or play hands that have decent potential against a limited range.
Hand Category Examples Playability from MP
Premium Pairs AA, KK, QQ, JJ Always play
Strong Pairs TT, 99, 88 Play
Premium Broadways AKs, AKo, AQs, KQs Play
Suited Connectors T9s, 98s, 87s Play with caution
Offsuit Broadways AQo, AJo, KQo Play with caution
Late Position (LP) – Including Cutoff and Button
Play Aggressively: This is where you can open up your game significantly.
Recommended Hands: A much wider range of hands, including suited connectors, small-to-medium pairs, and many broadway cards.
Goal: To steal blinds, apply pressure, and play hands with good post-flop potential.
Hand Category Examples Playability from LP
All Pairs AA through 22 Always play
All Broadways AKs-A2s, AKo-ATo, KQo-KTo, QJo-QTo, JTo Play
Suited Connectors All suited connectors and gappers (e.g., 76s, 54s) Play
Suited Aces A2s-A9s Play
Other Speculative Any hand with good potential for straights or flushes Play with caution
Frequently Asked Questions About Poker Positions
Q1: Is position important in cash games and tournaments?
A1: Absolutely! Position is crucial in both cash games and tournaments. While tournament dynamics can be more complex due to ever-changing stack sizes and blind levels, the fundamental advantage of information from position remains constant.
Q2: How many players are on a typical table?
A2: Poker tables can vary. Full ring tables have 8-10 players, while shorthanded tables typically have 6 players. The number of players affects how many “early,” “middle,” and “late” positions there are.
Q3: Can I always play more hands from late position?
A3: While you can play more hands, you should still be selective. Consider the players behind you. If there are aggressive players in the blinds or behind you, you might need to tighten up your range even in late position. It’s always about adapting to the specific situation.
Q4: What if I’m always in bad positions?
A4: In the long run, you’ll naturally cycle through all positions. The key is to recognize when you’re in a bad position and adjust your play accordingly (play tighter). When you get to good positions, exploit it by playing more hands and applying pressure.
Q5: How does position apply to heads-up (one-on-one) poker?
A5: In heads-up play, the player on the button is usually the “out of position” player, and the big blind is the “in position” player. The dynamics are reversed compared to full-ring or shorthanded games, but the principle of acting last being an advantage still holds.
Final Thoughts
Understanding and implementing poker position strategy is one of the most impactful ways you can improve your game. It’s not about memorizing thousands of hands; it’s about understanding a fundamental concept that influences nearly every decision you make.
So, next time you sit down at the poker table, pay close attention to where you are seated. Be patient in early positions, and be aggressive when you find yourself on the button or cutoff. Your chip stack will thank you for it!
Happy playing!
What are your thoughts on poker positions? Do you have any favorite positions to play from? Let me know in the comments below!