Home » Understanding the Importance of Poker Position

Understanding the Importance of Poker Position

by Charlee

The second thing you need to understand is poker positions, after knowing poker rules and hand rankings. This is done for a good reason without an understanding of how Poker positions function, it is hard to discuss other poker-related topics. Texas Hold’em players focus their decisions on the position because it is so crucial to the game that they debate it even before seeing their cards when talking about specific hands. In this post, we dissect each poker table position and explain why it is crucial for the game of poker.

The Different Poker Positions

Depending on the game’s format and conditions, most poker tables can accommodate two to nine players. For instance, the majority of online cash games are played in a 6-handed format, but the majority of casino tournaments, both online and live, are played in a 9-handed format. There are six positions at the six-max poker table, as the name implies, and they are divided into many groups:

  • Under the gun(Early)
  • (Middle) Hijack
  • (Late) Cutoff
  • (Late) Button
  • Small blinds
  • Big blinds (blinds)

Three additional places and their respective categories are changed to reflect the nine-handed table when we switch to it. And you can learn how to play call break game. Prior to the flop in these games, players move in the following order:

The Under the gun (UTG)

The UTG is the worst preflop position to be in since this player has the least amount of knowledge of any other player at the table. The UTG has the tightest range of any player at the table because he typically has to make his decisions on the strength of his cards.

The Under the gun +1 

Since you only get to watch one player act before you and still have seven opponents waiting for your move, the UTG+1 isn’t much better than the first spot at the full table. The fact that you can include a few extra hands in your opening range doesn’t change the fact that you should play rather tightly.

The Lowjack

Since there are exactly the same number of players left to act behind at the 9-max poker table as there are in 6-handed poker, the Lowjack is practically the same as the UTG. As a result, the range of hands available to players from this position is still rather limited.

The Hijack

The HJ is marginally superior since the player in this position can observe the actions of players in early position before making a choice. He also has fewer opponents sitting behind him, allowing him to start including more off-suit hands with blockers in his opening range.

The Cutoff

The CO is when things really start to pick up. You actually start snatching blinds more aggressively in this position because there is only one player remaining in the IP queue after you. If you are successful in getting BTN to fold, you will be in control of the hand and in position to play against the blinds.

The Button

At the poker table, the BTN is the best position. The player in this position not only has the advantage of being able to anticipate the actions of the first three positions and alter his play accordingly, but he also has the advantage of being the final player to act after the flop on each street.

The Small blind

Although the SB may have the advantage of seeing what other players do before them, this does not make up for the fact that he will be the first player to act on each street following the flop and not even close the action because there is still BB still to act.

The Big Blind

The BB’s position is the worst at the table because to the fact that he must put all of his big bling in before seeing the cards and that he acts second on every street following the flop. Even though you will need to play a broad range and defend frequently, especially when antes are involved.

You may also like