Understanding Position

Position in poker means acting after your opponents. It’s power. You see their moves first. Make smarter decisions. Example: On the river with a marginal hand? Last to act? Check if they check. Bet if they fold often. This guide explains how to use position to dominate tables.

1. Identify your seat:

• Early Position (EP): First to act (e.g., Under the Gun).
• Middle Position (MP): Acts after EP.
• Late Position (LP): Last to act (e.g., Cutoff, Button).

2. Adjust starting hands:

• Tighten in EP (play only premium hands like AA, AK).
• Loosen in LP (steal blinds with suited connectors like 76s).

3. Post-flop strategy:

• In LP: Control pot size. Bluff more. Extract value.
• In EP: Play cautiously. Avoid traps.

Example: You’re on the Button with K♣J♣. EP player raises. Fold. But if EP checks post-flop, bet 60% pot to pressure their range.

Hand 1: Late Position Steal

• Your Hand: 9♠8♠ (Button)
• Action: Folds to you. Raise 3x. Blinds fold.
• Insight: LP lets you steal with weak hands. Opponents’ ranges are tighter in blinds.

Hand 2: Middle Position Float

• Your Hand: Q♦J♦ (MP)
• Flop: T♣7♠2♦ (EP bets 50% pot)
• Action: Call. Turn: 3♥. EP checks. Bet 75% pot.
• Insight: Position lets you take control when opponents show weakness.

Hand 3: Early Position Discipline

• Your Hand: A♥K♦ (UTG)
• Action: Open-raise 2.5x. LP 3-bets. Fold.
• Insight: Strong hands in EP still face aggression. Avoid stacking off without reads.

• Pre-flop: Open 30% wider on Button. Fold 80% from UTG.
• Post-flop: In LP, use “delayed c-bets” (check flop, bet turn) to exploit cautious players.
• Bluffing: Bluff rivers more in LP—opponents fold 65% of their range facing two barrels.

Scenario: You’re in LP with A♣ 5♣. Flop: K♠ T♦ 4♣. EP checks. Bet 50% pot. Turn: 7♥. EP checks again. Bet 75% pot. River: 2♠. Shove. EP folds.