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Position at the Table

Your position at the table is simply your position in relation to the theoretical dealer. The dealer is well known as the best position since the player in that position plays last on each betting round (except the preflop). The advantage in playing last is simply the chance to see how all the players at the table react before making a decision to bet, call, or fold. It is always better to play last in any betting scheme.

The person to the left of the dealer is in the worst position on the table since this is the player that has to act first and this player is forced to put in half the maximum single bet before seeing any cards (referred to as the small blind position). Nobody likes to bet on a hand they have yet to see but this is exactly what happens in this position.

The person to the left of the small blind position is the big blind position. This player is forced to go in for one bet (and in fact initiates the betting without seeing their cards). The big blind position is known as the second worst spot on the table to act from and usually someone in this position that is betting has something worth betting with (when there are lots of players at the table).

The person to the left of the big blind acts first before each player receives their first two cards. This is referred to as "being under the gun" in poker slang. The clockwise motion of play allows those who act later (in late position) to be at a significant advantage in the game. As a result, those in late position can play weaker hands or "gambling hands" with less fear of financial obligation or loss.

The blind positions and the player under the gun (early positions) should be much more selective with their hands, as they don't have the privilege of watching other players betting/raising before they must decide if they want to stay in themselves.

For example, lets say you're under the gun (first to act). You have Queen-Jack off-suit and have placed a bet. A player after you raises and everyone but you folds – what should you do? Chances are good that this player has a better hand than you, with at least an ace or a king or a pocket pair. Unfortunately, you've already bet, because you had no idea what the other players at the table had in the pocket.

A real gamble in this case. The worst part about this scenario is that you will always have to play before this person and in so doing give that player a big advantage over you throughout this hand. This is a typical situation where position is key to acting or not acting on a questionable hand.

Conversely, being in the dealers position for the above scenario not only gives you the benefits of observing how the other players are betting, but it also gives you the ability to adjust and influence the size of the pot.

After all other players have bet, a raise by the player in the dealers position could potentially double the size of the pot or could limit the number of people who stay to see the next betting round. Usually players who have committed to one bet are very likely to commit to another bet, but this is the very situational trap that many undisciplined players fall prey to.

Position on the table is key to your style of play and your ability to be aggressive or passive with respect to betting strategies. Beware of the players who use their positional advantage with great skill. These are players you should want to learn from.