Poker Positions 101: What You MUST Know

Understanding your position at a poker table is crucial to your strategy. Your position refers to where you sit in relation to the dealer.

Poker position influences your decisions, hand strength, and ability to win pots.

This guide will walk you through the basics of poker positions. We will cover all seating spots, their strategies, and how to use every position to your advantage.

So, let’s get started without delay.

What are Poker Positions?

Positions in poker are your seating location and counted from the dealer or “button.” Poker hands rotate clockwise, and your position impacts your moves during betting.

Acting later in a round may be advantageous as you can see what others do before you act.

A Quick Look at Poker Positions

Below is a breakdown of each position at a 6-player poker table:

• Button (Dealer)

The button is the most powerful position in poker. It rotates clockwise after every hand.

Players on button act last in most betting rounds. It gives them the most information about what other players do.

• Small Blind (SB)

The player immediately to the left of the button is the small blind. They place the first forced bet.

The small blind acts first after the flop and is at a disadvantage due to limited information.

• Big Blind (BB)

The player on the small blind’s left posts the big blind or the second forced bet. The amount is usually double of what the small blind posted.

The big blind starts with a forced bet. However, they can see how the action unfolds before they add more chips.

• Under-the-Gun (UTG)

UTG, or under-the-gun, sits immediately to the left of the big blind. They act first pre-flop.

Acting first means limited information. Therefore, UTGs need to play tight and use strong hands.

• Under-the-Gun + 1 (UTG + 1)

UTG + 1 is the player next to UTG. This position is still early in the betting order.

Players adopt an approach similar to UTGs. However, they have a little more information.

• Middle Position (MP)

This position consists of players seated between UTG + 1 and later positions.

Middle positions offer a balance between early and late positions. They allow players to make decisions with moderate flexibility.

• Lojack (LJ)

It is the player seated two spots before the button or dealer. This position allows more aggressive play as you approach the later positions.

• Hijack (HJ)

The player seated one spot before the cut-off is the hijack. It is a strong position for stealing blinds or playing a wider range of hands.

• Cut-Off (CO)

The player seated on the immediate right of the button is the cut-off. As the button is the only one left to move, it is a prime position to play aggressively.

Strategies for Each Poker Position

Each position brings a unique set of nuances about how you play. Below are vital insights for each poker position.

Button or Dealer Strategy

Play style: Aggressive and versatile

Strategy:

• You play last in betting rounds. Play with a wide range of hands since you possess a lot of information.
• Use your positional advantage to bluff or steal pots. It works wonders against passive opponents.
• Keep an eye on the blinds. Try to target weaker players for more success.

Small Blind Strategy

Play style: Tight and defensive

Strategy:

• You’ll have less information as you act first after the flop. Therefore, play fewer hands.
• Put pressure by raising or re-raising when you enter a pot. Avoid passive calls unless pot odds are significantly favourable.
• Defend against attempts to steal from late positions.

Big Blind Strategy

Play style: Flexible and reactive

Strategy:

• Defend your blind against late-position steals, especially with decent hands.
• You’ve already invested in chips. Take advantage of good pots when facing a raise.
• Proceed cautiously post-flop if you’re out of position. However, exploit the opponent’s weakness with well-timed aggression.

Under-the-Gun Strategy

Play style: Extremely tight and cautious

Strategy:

• Open with strong hands, such as pocket pairs (JJ+), high-suited connectors (AK, AQ), or strong aces.
• Acting first limits your opportunity to study opponents. Avoid speculative hands like low pairs or suited connectors.
• Narrow the field and dominate using raises. However, avoid bluffing from this position.

Under-the-Gun + 1 (UTG + 1) Strategy

Play style: Tight, similar to UTG

Strategy:

• Expand your hand a little. Prioritise strong hands like suited broadways (KQ, AQ) and high pocket pairs.
• There are many players still left to act. Be cautious when raising.
• Assert dominance by using opportunities to re-raise with strong hands.

Middle Position (MP) Strategy

Play style: Balanced and moderately aggressive

Strategy:

• Expand your hand to include suited connectors (♠9♠10) or medium pairs (77+).
• Pay attention to opponent actions who sit before you. Be more aggressive if they’re passive.
• Mix up your gameplay to keep opponents guessing. However, don’t overcommit without accurate reads.

Lojack (LJ) Strategy

Play style: Aggressive with a wider range

Strategy:

• Open with a broader range, including weak suited connectors or medium pocket pairs.
• Try to isolate weaker players. Otherwise, force tighter players in earlier positions to fold.
• Be ready to defend your hand post-flop. Opponents are likely to challenge your bets.

Hijack (HJ) Strategy

Play style: Creative and opportunistic

Strategy:

• Continue to expand your range. Target blinds with raises or steals.
• The cut-off and button may aggressively re-raise. Plan your moves accordingly.
• Use semi-bluffs (like with draws) to build pots or push opponents out.

Cut-Off (CO) Strategy 

Play style: Aggressive and exploitative

Strategy:

• Raise often to steal blinds and pressurise opponents.
• Target the small blind and big blind, especially if they’re weak or too cautious.
• Be prepared to defend against re-raises from the button. Plan your counteractions accordingly.

General Tips for Positional Strategy

• Play tighter in early positions: Fewer players behind you give you a better chance of avoiding challenges.
• Exploit late positions: Use information advantage to dominate the pot with wider ranges and aggressive betting.
• Adapt to table dynamics: Play tight against aggressive players and loosen up against passive opponents.

Also see: Learn key poker skills here!

Why are Poker Positions Important?

Poker positions directly impact your decision-making and profitability at the table. Here’s why leveraging positions is necessary:

Positional Advantage

A later position gives you more information about your opponent’s actions. You can use this information to create insights and make informed decisions.

For example, players who check before you may be weak. It gives you an opportunity to bet and take the pot uncontested.

Better Bluffing 

Late poker positions like cut-off and button are ideal for bluffing. Opponents in earlier positions are less likely to call your bluff.

This gives you a competitive edge.

Also see: Bluff Game Rules

Control Over Pot Size

Acting last allows you to dictate the pot size by deciding whether to bet, raise, or check. Conversely, you’re forced to act without knowing if others will raise in early positions.

It gives you less control.

Improved Hand Selection

Your position determines the range of hands you should play. Early positions require tighter play with premium hands.

Consequently, late positions allow for a broader range. You have more probability of seeing flops with speculative hands.

Exploit Opponents Better

Observing your opponent’s actions can help you exploit their tendencies. For example, you can aggressively target a player who folds frequently to late-position raises.

Maximising Profits

A favourable position is ideal to extract more value from strong hands with strategic bets or raises.

Conversely, early positions need caution. Aggressive moves can backfire against stronger hands from late-position players.

Minimising Losses

Acting last helps you avoid costly mistakes by observing your opponent’s actions. You can fold weak hands without committing additional chips.

Poker Positions Demystified

Poker positions are like seats of power. Your spot at the table impacts how you play and decide.

A later position is like knowing the other party’s offer before you present your deal. It gives you an informational advantage to improve your strategy and gameplay.

Understanding positions is key to becoming a poker expert. They are as essential as your cards and decide how you play them.

FAQs on Poker Positions

1. What is the best poker position?

Late positions are better because they provide an information advantage. The cut-off and button are the two most sought-after poker positions.

2. Which poker position acts first?

The position to the left of the dealer or button acts first. It is called the small blind.

3. Which is the last poker position?

The dealer or button is the last poker position. The player in this spot plays last.

4. How many under-the-guns can there be in poker?

In poker, there can be several under-the-guns or UTGs where more than 6 players participate. The positions can be UTG + 2, UTG + 3, and so on.

5. Which are the least desirable poker positions?

The small blind and blog blind are considered less profitable positions. They act first and place bets after the flop.