Definition
Position refers to where you act in the betting order. In poker, acting last is a massive advantage—it affects every decision from preflop through the river.
Late position = More information = Better decisions
Position Categories
| Position | Type | Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Button (BTN) | Late | Best seat |
| Cutoff (CO) | Late | Very good |
| Hijack (HJ) | Middle | Moderate |
| Lojack (LJ) | Middle | Slight |
| UTG/UTG+1 | Early | Worst |
Why Position Matters Preflop
1. You See What Others Do First
In late position:
- You know how many players entered
- You see the bet sizes
- You gather information before deciding
2. More Steal Opportunities
| Position | Steal Scenario |
|---|---|
| Button | Only blinds left |
| Cutoff | 3 players behind |
| UTG | 5-8 players behind |
3. Better Equity Realization
Hands play better when you have position:
| Hand | OOP Win Rate | IP Win Rate |
|---|---|---|
| A5s | Low | High |
| 87s | Low | High |
| QJs | Medium | High |
4. Control Over Pot Size
Acting last lets you:
- Check back and see free cards
- Size your bets based on opponent actions
- Close the action when you want
The Button Advantage
The button is the most profitable seat because:
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Always last to act postflop | Maximum information |
| Only blinds behind | Widest steal range |
| Can isolate weak players | Choose your opponents |
| Controls pot size | Can inflate or control |
Position in Multi-Way Pots
| Situation | Your Position |
|---|---|
| IP vs all | Excellent |
| IP vs some | Good |
| OOP vs all | Challenging |
Preflop Adjustments by Position
| Early Position | Late Position |
|---|---|
| Play tight | Play wider |
| Premium hands | Include speculative hands |
| Expect 3-bets | Can fold to 3-bets cheaply |
| Build strong ranges | Steal and attack |
Key Takeaway
Position is the most important factor in preflop hand selection. The same hand can be a clear fold UTG and a clear raise on the button. Always consider position first.