What You Should Know About Poker Table Positions
Once a novice poker player has been playing poker for a while, they need to understand table position and why it matters. We will explain what the different table positions are first, how they influence game play and how they should generally be played.
Poker Table Positions
Dealer or Button
Table position is measured relative to the dealer position, also known as the button. The player in dealer position is only a nominal dealer; the disc placed in front of them indicates where the dealer is.
The dealer is always last to act unless they fold their hand, in which case the player nearest to their right will be last to act.
it's cool to be in the dealer's position. Everyone else acts before you do. You will see their poker tells too. So you'll know who has something worth playing and who doesn't.
Early Table Position
In a full table, these are the first three players to the left of the dealer. They are the small blind, big blind and under the gun (UTG). If the table isn't full, the early table position players are those who must act before most of the other players.
Being in early table position sucks because you don't know how good/bad the rest of the hands are.
Middle Table Position
In a full table, these are the fourth, fifth and sixth players to the dealer's left. Some players act before you, others after you. This is better than early position but still not a coveted position.
Late Table Position
These are the players closest to the dealer's right. In a full table, these are the seventh, eighth and ninth players. This is the second-best table position of all, with advantages similar to the dealer's position.
Note that anyone can be in last position, if all players behind them (those to their right) folds.
Table Position at Work
A better table position enables you to make better decisions, while poor table position makes it more likely for you to make the wrong decisions. To cite an example:
You are dealt Ad-Ac
The board reads:
2s-As-2c-2h
You have the best three of a kind possible here. On the flop, you look like a sure winner. But fourth street gave a third 2 card. Everyone else has been passive until now. You bet, someone calls, and someone else goes all-in! Oh, no, what could it be? A four of a kind, possibly. You're pocket aces looked great until now. Better save your money and fold. When you see that 2d on the river, you'll be glad.
See? Late position saved you there. In early position, you'd probably have gone all-in yourself.
Hand Selection
There are general rules for hand selections based on table positions:
Early Table Position - Only the most premium hands like A-A and other high pairs, no worse than Q-Q or A-K suited. Because you don't know what everyone else may have, it's smarter to play only with the biggest hands. In other words, when in doubt bring a shotgun; when in real danger, bring a rocket-launcher.
Middle Table Position - Here you can play looser hands like K-Q suited, J-J and K-Q off-suit. If you're lucky enough to see later players fold, you will be in a more advantageous position.
Late Table Position & the Dealer Button - The most kinds of hands can be played here. You might like to play any pair or any suited hand if you're feeling like it.
Table position in poker is important. While the hand choices are just guidelines, the general rules on position apply. Learn it by heart.