The different positions in poker and associated strategies

Poker positions

The list of positions

In poker, each seat around the table has a specific name. In 6-max (i.e. when there are a maximum of 6 players around the table), a very common online format, we have:

• The Button (often abbreviated BU or BTN)
• The Small Blind (SB)
• The Big Blind (BB)
• The Lojack or Under the Gun (UTG)
• The Hijack (HJ)
• The Cut-Off (CO)

Note that in full-ring (9 or 10 players at the table), we find these same position names to which we add UTG+1, UTG+2 and UTG+3 (and UTG+4 to ten players) between UTG and Hijack.

The different categories of positions

Each position can be classified into one of the following four categories:

• The blinds : the small and the big armoured. As indicated by their name, these positions bet the amount of the small and the big blind respectively automatically before the cards are dealt. They are the last positions to act pre-flop but the first post-flop.
• Early positions: they are among the first to act pre-flop but also post-flop. These positions are therefore less advantageous because you have less information about the actions of others. In 6-max, this corresponds to the UTG position.

<span class="inarticle_section">ℹ️ The term Under The Gun comes precisely from this positional disadvantage. Literally, it can be translated as “under the gun” or less literally as “under pressure.”</span>

• Middle positions: balanced between early and late positions, offering more flexible opportunities. In 6-max, it's Hijack.‍

• Late positions: they are the last to act in a game round, which gives them a significant advantage as they have more information about opponents' hands before making a decision. In 6-max these positions correspond to the Cut-off and the Button.

<span class="inarticle_section">ℹ️ The term “Button” comes from the big chip used to indicate who deals cards in games without a dealer. The “Cut-off” takes its name from the task of the player who cuts the cards during games that take place without a dealer.</span>

Note: This ranking of poker positions, while useful, is not an exact science. The terms “early,” “middle,” and “late” remain relatively vague. It is essential to recognize that the Under The Gun position is always considered to be early, while the Button is invariably a late position. The seats for Hijack and Cut-off are between these two points. The objective of this classification is simply to give a general idea of the dynamics at the table according to positions and to allow players to adapt accordingly.

The importance of position

Why should you worry about your position when playing poker? Simply because it has a very significant impact on your chances of winning. From your chances of bluffing successfully to your ability to read the game, being well placed gives you significant control over how the hand unfolds. Playing in a late position, in particular, allows you to see how other players acted before making your own decision, which is a big advantage.

Lots of beginner players underestimate the importance of position and the strategies that come from them, so it is your responsibility to know what each of them involves.

Position in poker: strategic implications

Basic strategy by position

• Early positions: by being one of the first to act, caution is required. Only play with very strong hands as you have little information about the actions of other players. Betting with a weak hand like 6♥️ 8♥️ in this position is risky.‍

<span class="inarticle_section">♟️ The strategy in an early position is therefore to focus on the strongest hands and to limit bluffs.</span>

• Middle Positions: these positions offer a bit more flexibility. You have information about the actions of the players in front of you and can therefore already adjust your game accordingly.

<span class="inarticle_section">♟️ The strategy here is to slightly widen your starting range of hands compared to the early positions.</span>

• Late positions : Cut-off is the ideal position to start taking calculated risks. With fewer players after you, the potential of”Stealing the blinds” increases. The button is the most advantageous position. You act as the last post-flop, giving you maximum control to observe and manipulate the pot.

<span class="inarticle_section">♟️ Play an even wider range. Take advantage of your position to put pressure on the blinds and steal the pots with less strong hands. Bluff more frequently post-flop by using your positional advantage.</span>

• Blindes : although in a late pre-flop position, the blinds are the first to act post-flop, which is a disadvantage.

<span class="inarticle_section">♟️ Be very selective with the hands you play from the blinds. Defend your Big Blind with a reasonable range against potential steals, but don't get too involved with marginal hands. In the Small Blind, avoid playing too many hands, as you will be in a very disadvantageous position for the duration of the hand</span>.

How to choose the right place?

If you have the opportunity to choose your seat at the table, for example for live games with friends, choosing where to sit strategically based on the skills of other players can influence your earnings.

Ideally, you'll want to be seated to the left of the strongest players (to have the advantage of position over them) and to the right of less experienced players to exploit their tendency to make mistakes.

What is the most profitable position in poker?

As you might expect from what we explained earlier, late positions, especially the Button, are the most profitable. Having the last word in a betting round gives you greater control over pot size and bluff decisions, allowing you to adapt your game more precisely in response to the actions of your opponents.

To illustrate this if you are still not convinced, here are two earnings curves for a good regular player at the Button and then in the Small Blind:

These graphs allow us to see that even a good player will struggle to make significant gains in the Small Blind unlike when he is on the Button.

Conclusion

We hope that this article has clearly explained to you the different positions at a poker table and the importance of taking this parameter into account in the way you approach hands. If you have any questions, comments or anything else, feel free to use the comment space below!