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| Poker Positions |
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In poker,
positions revolve at each hand. Certain positions provide players with unique
opportunities to get the most out of their bets while others can put a person
at a disadvantage.
In this article, we will cover the most
common poker
positions. Understanding each of them can help you make a decisive
strategy.
Early
position
As the name implies, players in these positions go first
before the rest of the participants around the table. Strategically
speaking, anyone in these positions is at a disadvantage since they are the
first people to check, call, or raise.
Three positions under this
category should be treated with caution if you are in one of them.
Small Blind
Participants
in the small blind position will have a position on two players since they will
be the third to act. Half of the blind are required payments for anyone in this
position.
Being the third player to act and having to post only half of
the blinds can still give you some wiggle room to pull off some strategy.
One of the most important options is to fold a trash hole since you are only
paying the small blind. Another is to steal the big blind bet if that
player consistently folds and your hole is well within a good pre-flop range.
Big
Blind
Few people want to be in this position since you are the
only player on the table posting a bet without having the opportunity to see
your hole. New players tend to get shaken down in the big blind position by
professionals because they will defend their blinds by calling most raises if
they see a potential for a straight or flush.
Playing the big blinds
properly is to observe the attitude or betting habit of every participant.
If most of your opponents are playing loosely and aggressively with
mid-ranged hands, you can also be versatile with your BB cards ranges such as
top pairs or two pairs.
In the case of tight and aggressive (TAG)
players, play with the best possible range. You need to avoid getting pressured
by TAG players with a C bet or slow play on the flop or post-flop. Playing with
a tight pot gives Holes that are well within these range pocket aces or
sequenced suited hands.
Under The Gun
While players in this position do
not have to post the blinds, they are the first players to act. Anyone within
this position will be under intense pressure since the player is the first to
decide whether to call the blinds or raise them. Pressure comes from the lack
of information as to what other participants around the table are
holding.
Going for a tight starting range of aces and 10s or kings
and jacks is your go-to-strategy while under the gun. Having a high range
gives you plenty of room to avoid post-flop pressure and to profit out of any
who might do a donk bet.
Middle position
Players between the early and
late positions occupy the middle ones. Not the worst and not the best position
to be in, but the middle position gives you plenty of space to be loose with
your range such as pocket deuces or a 5 and 6 hole.
Take advantage
of this position when a player who tends to limp on the pre-flop is under the
gun or big blind. You can intimidate them with a C bet on your turn, forcing
them to fold or possibly defend a mid-ranged hand.
Late position
At the end of the middle
position are two spots that every player wants to be. Players in the last
two positions can place more
pressure on the person under the gun and have plenty of data to make a
tactical decision.
Dealer
(Button)
Anyone at the button position will have a dominating
advantage since they can see the bets and raises made around the table,
giving them useful insight on which hands to watch out for. When your
turn comes up, you can freely fold if your hand is not within the range of an
earlier opponent’s over bet.
Cutoff
Cutoff position players not only have a
good grasp on seeing their opponents’ standing in the betting round, they
also have the opportunity to steal the blinds. Keep tabs on your
opponents’ tendency to fold when two or more people raise. Big blind
players who consistently fold on 3 bets or over bets are easy targets for a
blind steal with a decent hole range.
Knowing what each position in
a poker game entails can help you decide on what range of hole cards to pursue
when you are at any of these positions. Taking notes of your opponents betting
behavior can further help you create a strategy to win the pot in a specific
betting round. |
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