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Poker Positional Play
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Positional Poker Strategy
Position is a strange yet simple concept in poker. On the outside it appears to be an overly simple topic and to some extent it is. The problem is that it is a crucial part of the game, and without a sound understanding of how it influences your play you are going to make mistakes. This is one of the key articles in out online poker guide. I have added links to some other poker strategy related articles below.
Position In Poker Defined
In poker positional play refers to where you are in the order of action in any particular round of a game. For example, in Texas Holdem, if you are on the dealer button, you are last to act on every round of play, thus you are in “last” position. Conversely if you are in the small blind you are the first to act on every turn (except pre flop) and you are said to be in “first” position or under the gun. In other games like five card draw and seven card stud, position is a relative topic. Since in those two games your position is defined by where you sit in terms of the action player. Although positional poker play is different in each game, the strategies covered here will work well as a starting point for all games.Early Position
This is the weakest position in the game. You are at your most vulnerable here for a few reasons:
- The whole table is left to act behind you
- You will be at an inherent disadvantage throughout the hand
Because of this natural vulnerability it is crucial that you play only the best hands from early position. In Texas Hold’Em these hands are comprised of AA, KK, QQ, AK and maybe a few select others depending on your skill level and that of your opponents. In games like seven stud or draw, with premium hands like this you will be doing the betting so most likely you will be the aggressor and be in first position. If not however, use your relative position to the bettor to gauge whether or not a hand is worth playing. Drawing hands are not of much value in early position unless you are guaranteed that many will enter the pot for cheap and that is hard to predict.
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Middle Position
In middle positional poker play you have improved but still have some vulnerabilities. Drawing hands become more useable here, but generally the top tier of these hands are best. Examples include KQ suited, JT suited, AT suited or maybe AX suited. You might be able to exploit some vulnerable players in early position when you are in the middle. Watch for weak blinds when the late position players have folded and use scare cards to your advantage.
Late Position
This is the strongest position in the game. You have much more variety in the hands you can play and you are in the best position to make deceptive and pot winning moves. Drawing hands become very powerful in late position when the pot is already large by the time it gets to you. Never be afraid to raise or re-raise in late position to punish pot committed idiots.
Final Thoughts On Position
Playing hands out of position is a huge mistake in poker. After some practice you will learn which hands play well in which positions and as much as it kills you, you’ll learn to lay down that KQ off suit from 2nd position when you have solid players to your left. If you feel vulnerable with a hand from early or middle position it’s because you are. Lay the hand down, another will be on its way shortly. Poker positional play is key to maintaining profitability at the tables.
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