Mastering Position Play in Texas Hold'em
Position is one of the most powerful advantages in poker. Understanding how to leverage your position at the table is crucial for long-term success.
Why Position Matters
Position refers to where you sit relative to the dealer button (which rotates clockwise after each hand). Players act in clockwise order, with the small blind and big blind acting first preflop, and the player after the button acting first on all subsequent streets.
Playing in position gives you several key advantages:
- You get to see how your opponents act before making your decision
- You have better control over the pot size
- You can make more accurate value bets
- You can bluff more effectively
- You can play more hands profitably
Table Positions
In a standard 9-handed game, positions are typically defined as follows:
| Position | Abbreviation | Description | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Blind | SB | First to act preflop, last to act postflop (except against BB) | Play tight; you're in the worst position postflop |
| Big Blind | BB | Last to act preflop, first or second to act postflop | Defend more hands due to discount; be cautious postflop |
| Under the Gun | UTG | First to act preflop (after blinds) | Play very tight; premium hands only |
| UTG+1 | UTG+1 | Second to act preflop | Play very tight; similar to UTG |
| Middle Position | MP | Middle positions at the table | Gradually expand range from UTG; still relatively tight |
| Cutoff | CO | One seat to the right of the button | Play more aggressively; second-best position |
| Button | BTN | Dealer position; last to act postflop | Play widest range; most profitable position |
Early Position Strategy (UTG, UTG+1)
Early position puts you at a disadvantage because you must act first with limited information. Key strategies include:
- Play a tight range of premium hands
- Focus on hands that play well against multiple opponents
- Avoid marginal hands like small pairs and suited connectors
- When you do play, consider making larger raises to discourage multiple callers
Middle Position Strategy (MP)
Middle position offers slightly more flexibility:
- Expand your range beyond premium hands
- Include strong Ax hands, medium pairs, and some suited connectors
- Pay attention to players who have already acted
- Be prepared to fold if there's aggression from later positions
Late Position Strategy (CO, BTN)
Late position is where poker becomes most profitable:
- Play a significantly wider range of hands
- Look for opportunities to steal blinds when folded to you
- Use your positional advantage to control pot size
- Make liberal continuation bets when you're the preflop aggressor
- Extract maximum value with your strong hands
Blind Play (SB, BB)
The blinds are challenging positions because you start with a forced investment:
- Small Blind: Play tight despite having already invested; you'll be out of position for the whole hand
- Big Blind: Defend more frequently against late position steals; you already have money in the pot
- Check-raise more often from the blinds to balance your range
- Be cautious about calling raises from the blinds without strong holdings
Positional Concepts
Stealing the Blinds
When everyone folds to you in late position, raising to "steal" the blinds is a profitable play, especially from the button. Consider factors like:
- How often the blinds defend
- Stack sizes
- Your table image
Blind Defense
When facing a steal attempt from the blinds:
- Defend wider than you would in other positions
- Favor hands with good playability (suited connectors, suited aces)
- Consider 3-betting as a defense with both value hands and bluffs
Squeeze Play
A "squeeze" is a reraise after there's been a raise and at least one call. This is particularly effective from late position when:
- The original raiser is likely to have a wide range
- The caller(s) are likely to have medium-strength hands
- You can represent a strong holding
Position-Based Adjustments
As you gain experience, you'll need to make position-based adjustments:
- Against tight players: Steal more aggressively from late position
- Against loose players: Tighten up in early position, value bet more in position
- Against aggressive players: Let them hang themselves when you have position
- Against passive players: Value bet thinner when in position
Remember, positional advantage is often more important than the actual cards you hold. Many professional players will tell you they would rather have a mediocre hand in position than a strong hand out of position.
For detailed hand selection guides by position, check out our Starting Hands section.