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Positions in Poker
Ask any poker pro, or any of the WSOP Main Event winners for that matter, what the most important aspect of the game of poker is, and 90% of them will answer you with the word position!
Position is one of those poker terms you will frequently here others saying when playing live poker. "I really wish I could, but I can't call you out of position."
But what would be the right definition for position in poker? The simple answer would be that position refers to where players are sitting in regards to other players. And what would be the best position at the table? It's really a bit too easy of a question, as it may depend on numerous of factors, however the best position in poker could well be described as the player last to act.
To make it all a tad bit easier, positions in poker are divided into three different categories; early, middle, and late. Then some of these categories may have some specific positions to it, unter the gun (UTG) to name one. In the reminder of this article you can read more about each and every position in poker.
Early Position
Early position in poker is usually defined as the first three players to act after the blinds. These positions are considered to be very difficult to master because of the fact that you have no information about the players' moves still to come. Hence, playing from early position should be done with lots of caution, since you will be one of the first players to act after flop, leaving you with tricky decision's to make. Be sure to carefully choose which hands to play when sitting in early position.
Under the Gun (UTG)
The earliest position in poker is under the gun, or UTG, the abbreviation that is usually used when someone refers to this position. UTG is also the worst position to sit at during a game of poker, as you are first to act. The starting hand requirements for UTG are very slim.
Middle Position
Positions
Middle position is usually defined as the next three players after the three players who are sitting in early position. There are worse positions to be in then middle position, and in a heads-up pot with any player in early position you will be acting last.
In middle position, however, your starting hand requirements start to become a tad bit broader. You will play more hands and see more flops, but be careful of players sitting in late position. The last thing you want is to try and steal the blinds and be called, leaving you heads-up, and acting first, which frankly enough will not be a great position to sit in.
Late Position
Late position is usually defined as the last two players before the blinds. Players in late position have the advantage of knowing how many people are in a pot, thus being able to play more hands when there are less players in cheap pots. In this position you act very late on, so you can raise when you sense weakness an example being, the pot being checked around to you, after a pre-flop raise.
Dealer Position, or the Button
Generally, the best position in poker is the dealer position, as this position is always last to act after the flop.
Being in Betting Position
Players sitting in late position can easily pick up pots by betting if nobody has acted before them, hence the name betting position. Someone acting in betting position is many times just bluffing to acquire the pot. be careful though, and back out if you get checked-raised, without having a respectable starting hand.
In the Blinds
The blinds have the advantage of playing a wide range of hands as they have already contributed to the pot. If players have only called the blinds, the big blind essentially receives a "free flop", whilst the small blind gets a look at the flop for only half the cost. Many players tend to fall into the trap of calling minimum raises from the big blind as they feel they have already committed some chips, this is not a good play, as you will be acting first after the flop. Remember not to fall in love with cards dealt to you on the blinds!
Now that you understand the principles of positions in poker, we advice you to memorize the recommended hands to play, when you find yourself sitting in a certain position.
