Poker Positions Explained
Position is the most important concept in poker after hand strength. Understanding where you sit relative to the dealer completely changes how you should play.
1. Why Position Matters
In poker, "position" refers to where you sit relative to the dealer button and, more importantly, when you act in each betting round. Acting later is better.
When you're "in position" (acting last), you see what all your opponents do before you have to make a decision. This information is incredibly valuable:
- •You can size your bets based on opponent actions
- •You can bluff more effectively when opponents show weakness
- •You control the pot size more easily
- •You can take free cards when appropriate
- •You realize your equity more often (see showdowns cheaper)
Key Insight
Professional players make the vast majority of their profit from late position. It's not uncommon for winning players to lose money from the blinds and early position, but more than make up for it from the button and cutoff.
2. Position Names Explained
At a 9-handed table (the most common format in live poker), here are all the positions starting from the dealer button and going clockwise:
9-Max Table Positions
Green = best positions | Red = worst positions
The best position. Acts last on flop, turn, and river. Maximum information advantage. Can play the widest range of hands.
One seat before the button. Second-best position. Only the button can act after you, plus the blinds will often fold.
Two seats before the button. Still a late position with good stealing opportunities. Named because you can "hijack" the blinds from this spot.
Three seats before the button. The beginning of "middle position." Still reasonable for opening, but tighter than late position.
Early-middle position. Play tighter than late position. Many players to act behind you.
Second position preflop. Still early position — play premium hands only.
First to act preflop. The worst preflop position (besides blinds). You have 8 players to act behind you, so play very tight.
Posts half the big blind. Acts second-to-last preflop but first postflop. Difficult position because you're always out of position postflop.
Posts the full blind. Acts last preflop (can close the action) but second postflop. You defend a lot here because you already have money invested.
3. Early, Middle & Late Position
Positions are commonly grouped into three categories, which helps simplify preflop strategy:
Early Position (EP)
UTG, UTG+1, UTG+2
Many players to act behind you. Play tight — stick to premium hands like big pairs and strong broadway cards. You need a strong hand because you'll be out of position postflop against anyone who calls.
Middle Position (MP)
Lojack (LJ), Hijack (HJ)
Fewer players behind, but still not ideal. Can open slightly wider than early position. Medium pairs, suited aces, and strong suited connectors become playable.
Late Position (LP)
Cutoff (CO), Button (BTN)
The money positions. You'll often have position postflop and can steal blinds frequently. Open a wide range — suited connectors, suited one-gappers, any ace, any broadway, and small pairs are all playable.
For specific hand recommendations by position, see our Preflop Hand Chart.
4. The Blinds
The blinds (small blind and big blind) are unique positions that require special consideration.
Small Blind (SB)
The small blind is the worst position at the table. You post half a bet, act first postflop, and face tough decisions frequently.
- •Complete (call the other half) rarely — it's usually better to fold or raise
- •3-bet or fold against late position opens
- •Playing out of position makes it hard to realize equity
Big Blind (BB)
The big blind is complicated. You've already invested a full bet, so you should defend wider than other positions — but you'll be out of position postflop.
- •Defend wide against steals (late position opens) — you're getting good odds
- •Fold tighter against early position raises — they have stronger ranges
- •Check your option with marginal hands to see a free flop
Blind vs Blind
When everyone folds to the small blind, this creates a unique situation. Both players know the other has a random hand. The SB can open very wide (50%+ of hands), and the BB should defend aggressively since they're getting good odds. These pots are often contested and can be complex.
5. Position-Based Strategy
Here are practical ways to use position to your advantage:
When You Have Position
- 1.Steal liberally. From the button and cutoff, raise to steal the blinds frequently. They'll fold often, and when they don't, you have position postflop.
- 2.Flat more hands. In position, calling with speculative hands (suited connectors, small pairs) is more profitable because you control the pot.
- 3.Bet when checked to. When opponents check to you, it often indicates weakness. Betting takes down the pot frequently.
- 4.Take free cards. When you have a draw, you can check back on the flop or turn to see cheap cards.
- 5.Size your value bets based on tendencies. You see their action first, so adjust sizing accordingly.
When You're Out of Position
- 1.Play tighter preflop. Strong hands compensate for positional disadvantage. Fold marginal hands.
- 2.3-bet more, flat less. 3-betting builds a bigger pot when you have a strong hand and makes postflop play simpler.
- 3.Lead with your strong hands. Don't slow-play out of position — bet for value and protection.
- 4.Check-raise as a weapon. This lets you build the pot even when acting first, but use it strategically.
- 5.Keep pots smaller with medium hands. Big pots out of position with marginal holdings lead to tough spots.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
›Why is position so important in poker?
Position lets you act with more information. When you act last, you see what everyone else does before making your decision. You know if opponents checked (showing weakness), bet small (inviting action), or bet big (showing strength). This information edge lets you make better decisions, bluff more effectively, and extract more value with strong hands.
›What is the best position at a poker table?
The button (dealer position) is the best seat because you act last on every postflop street. You have maximum information before every decision. The cutoff (one seat before the button) is second-best. Statistics show that winning players make significantly more money from late position than early position.
›What does UTG mean in poker?
UTG stands for 'Under the Gun' — the player to the immediate left of the big blind. This is the worst position preflop because you act first with no information about what anyone else will do. UTG players should play very tight, only entering pots with premium hands.
›What is the difference between hijack and cutoff?
The hijack is two seats before the button; the cutoff is one seat before the button. Both are late positions, but the cutoff is stronger because you only have the button behind you (plus blinds). In the hijack, you have both the cutoff and button to worry about. You can play slightly looser from the cutoff than the hijack.
›Should I play more hands in position?
Yes, absolutely. Most winning players play 2-3x more hands from the button than from UTG. In position, you can profitably play weaker hands because you have the information advantage. Out of position, you need stronger hands to compensate for the disadvantage of acting first.