Poker has long reigned supreme as one of the most popular gambling games. In a game that requires skill, instinct and the reading of both the opponents and the hand in play, understanding how important the role of position can be in poker is crucial for long-term success.
Each position around the table dictates how the game or hand can be played. In this guide, we will break down some of the positions you will encounter and recommend some of the strategies you may wish to adopt.
The Button
Universally known as ‘the button’, the button is arguably the most important position in poker and is representative of when you are the dealer. Having the button will mean that in the hand, you are the last to act from the flop, turn and river. This is crucial as you can wait and see what everyone else plans to do.
Whether playing online or in person, by acting last, those who have the button often like to act aggressively. It is a common play that if nobody raises the big blinds, the person on the button may take the opportunity to do so.
Being in the dealer position offers the rare advantage of observing how every player handles a hand, making it a pivotal role among the different positions in poker. From checkdowns and raises to reraises, folds, or all-in shouts, you can witness it all without committing a chip. As the last to act, the person on the button often dictates the game’s tempo and chip dynamics. The strategic importance of the different positions in poker and how they influence gameplay is explained here.
Whilst in longer format games with table numbers of eight or nine, the impact of the button may be slightly diminished, it can be pivotal when the numbers are reduced. When playing on a table with just a few players, most professionals would recommend that those in the button position should be as aggressive as possible.
Big Blind
At the start of every poker hand, there is a requirement for a stake to be added to the table in the form of big and little blinds. The blind limits will increase over allotted time periods, but it’s a requirement of the big blind to put in the higher limit.
With a stake automatically put in at the start of the hand, the big blind position will then wait for every player to fold, meet the blind limit, or raise the hand; this includes the dealer. If nobody has raised the big blind limit, the player who has staked the big blind has the option to either check or raise themselves. If the player checks, the hand will progress to the three-card flop. If the big blind decides to raise, everyone in the hand will have to decide to call, raise or fold.
Preflop is the only time when the person in the big blind will act last. From this moment, they will act second (if the small blind is still in the hand) or first if the small blind has already folded.
Being one of the first to act in a hand can be a good thing, but unlike the person on the button, there is a chance that if you raise or call, someone may raise over the top of you. In the big blind, it is often wise to play slightly conservatively to see what others are planning on doing. Alternatively, if you have a hand that you like, it’s worth betting hard so that you can get rid of the weaker hands and dictate the action.
Small Blind
The small blind acts in a very similar way to the big blind. In the preflop phase, the small blind will be the penultimate player to make their decision. However, if nobody else has raised, the small blind will have to decide whether they meet the big blind limit, fold or raise.
Once the pre-fold bets have been settled, the small blind will always act first. Many recommend placing careful or small bets when in the small blind, and checking can be very common. However, if you have a hand you like and want to start the action, the recommendation would be to play as aggressively as possible to shake others off the hand.
Under the Gun
Arguably, the worst position in poker is when you are ‘under the gun’; simply put, when in this position, you are the first to act before the flop. Every player will have the position to call after you, so any bet you make has the capacity to be raised. If you bet too big, you might scare people off. If you bet too small and aren’t willing to meet any raises, you would have lost chips. It’s a hard position to gauge.
Under the Gun +1
This position is next to the person who has to act first preflop. Many of the benefits and disadvantages that apply to the first caller also apply here.
Mid Positions
The mid positions in poker are between the blinds and dealer button, and these positions can see a variety of different strategies employed.
Due to the fact that these players won’t be the first to play, players in the mid positions could find themselves in a position to place the first bets of the hand if players had checked before them.
Alternatively, some bets may have already been called before the action reaches the mid positions, and from here, players will have the ability to fold, call or raise. The only thing to watch out for is that there might be players still to act after your decision, and there could be a chance that any bets or calls you make could be raised on top of.
The Cutoff
The cutoff is the position to the dealer’s right, which means that if the dealer decides to fold whilst this position is still in the hand, they will call last from the flop until the final card has been dealt.
If the dealer is still in the hand, the person in the cutoff has to be careful as the dealer may decide to be aggressive by virtue of calling last. However, if the dealer is still in the hand and there is just one person left to call, you can play the hand as you see fit.
Mastering Position is the Key to Long Term Success
Whilst there is always going to be an element of luck that makes someone a successful poker player, mastering and understanding how position can play a part in overall strategy is crucial.
Different positions will enable players to be more aggressive, there are also spots where sitting and waiting might be more advised. Where position comes into play is at the business end of tournaments and games and if you can apply the basic principles at just the right time, your chances of victory should improve no end.
