How to Play the Best Texas Hold’em from any Position

When playing almost any game there are many benefits to being one of the last players to act. That is because you have a chance to see how everyone else plays before you have to make your decision. Whether players fold, raise or call, you get an idea of how to play the hand you were dealt. Playing correctly from the position you are in can significantly increase your odds of winning. When playing in a late position, players can be more flexible with their starting hands than they would if they were first to act. 

 

The position of a player is determined by the spot you are in from the dealer. Players who are 1 or 2 seats left of the dealer are considered early position where as the two players on the right of the dealer are in late position. The rest of the players at the table are in middle position. 

 

You may wonder how exactly you can use this knowledge to win at the tables. The most important things to keep track of are your opponent’s positions. This is particularly important in online poker because you don’t have the benefit of reading facial expressions and tells are limited to the computer screen. Keep in mind that before the flop, the player to the left of the big blind actually starts. After the flop, the player in the small blind goes first. Confusing the position could cost you so remember the player in the small blind is in the worst position. 

 

When playing from the sensitive early position, play mostly top hands including AA, KK, QQ, and AK. Any other hands should be played at your own risk because if you get raised or re-raised, chances are the odds are against you and more money than you bargained for could be lost. Most players should stick with those top 4 hands while in early position. 

 

While playing from middle position, the amount of playable hands expands to include 88, 99, pocket 10s, AQ, AJ and A10. Remember that middle position is wonderful for raising or trying to steal the blinds. Stealing the blinds is most effective when everyone before you folds. Another advantage of mid position is the ability to call and see a cheap flop. This is due to the fact that players are not as prone to raise a bet with a bunch of people already in the pot.

 

Late position play is the most rewarding and fun. Playable starting hands can be broadened to include any mix of 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace, suited ordered cards such as 7 and 8 of spades or 9 and 10 of hearts and some pocket pairs. Calling a raise is best done in this position. Most of the time, players should avoid the habit of calling a lot of raises, but the late position puts you at an advantage to do so. Calling a raise in late position forces your opponent to make a decision before the flop increasing their risk.

 

Once you have mastered the fine art of table position strategy, your play will surely improve. You will reap the many benefits of knowing how to use position in your favor.