Poker Position

The reason position on a table is important, like mentioned before regarding the dealer button, is you have the disadvantage of being dealt to first versus being dealt to last or at a "later position." Why?

Let's explain this by a simple example: say for instance you're in a white elephant gift exchange party. Now everyone's going to have a turn to either keep their gift or exchange with another person. The first person to exchange has the largest disadvantage because any gift they exchange they'll more than likely not be able to keep that gift. The person that has the strongest advantage is the last person because after all the gifts have been exchanged before them, they have the pick of exchanging with anyone and have the power of keeping it.

Now let's use this example in poker: on the table we have a specific position regarding the dealer button per game. If you're first to act, you have the largest disadvantage because after you, the rest of the table is going to respond. If your hole cards are mediocre and you call the big blind amount, say $20 dollars and a few seats over someone raises the amount to $60 dollars and the table responds to it by folding, then you're stuck responding. The action is onto you, but since you had a mediocre hand you're probably not liking that raise against you and more than likely you're either going to waste money to call or just fold, which leaves you with $20 less than you started the hand with. This is why position is important. If you had a premium hand to begin with, the raise would have been a lot more inviting because you'd most likely have a stronger chance to win the pot if your starting hand catches.

At the poker table we use a few words to describe your position: early, mid or middle, and late. Early position includes the small and big blinds because after the flop the blinds are first to act (which will be the same for the next three betting rounds). We would also consider the person after the big blind to also be in early position. After that we have have the middle position seats, where they've seen about half the table respond to the action. Late positions is usually the last two remaining seats. The dealer button seat has the greatest advantage because it will see all action before a response (remember the white elephant example above).

Strategy for position: Let's list the common rules of thumb for certain poker positions:

• Early position: raise or limp in with premium cards
• Middle position: limp in with mediocre cards
• Late position: limp in with trash cards

Now obviously you'll pick up premium hands out of position, what do you do then? Well it's best to stick to your rules of thumb because other players will believe you're sticking to the most common of actions. This belief will allow you to "sand-bag" (slow play or misguide) your opponents to thinking you don't have the hand they're assuming. Many times amateur players will obviously raise more than their normal amount, which will result in the loss of money rather than gaining. If that player had raised heavy with a premium hand in mid or late position, more than likely his opponents are going to fold because they're assuming the player has hit a good hand. Many professionals will use this strategy to throw off their opponents by bluffing in their position with no value in their hand.

Below is a little cheat sheet you can use or print out for reference. Many people would have a larger chart but the disadvantage is remembering all those additional hands and the financial cost of play time you're going to endure. We've simplified it for you to get started:

Strategies against position:

More than likely you're not going to pick up the hand for your specific position but don't worry, there's additional strategies to help you along.

One thing, like mentioned above, is sand-bagging your opponents. Many times a player will pick up a premium hand but the most obviously action will be to raise higher to bring more money into the pot. This strategy is used more as a deterrent rather than an effective way of getting money in the pot. One way to disguise your hand and more than likely keep your opponents in is to sand-bag them. Note: if you're playing a limit game rather than no-limit, this strategy usually won't work simply because bluffing becomes nearly obsolete due to the circumstances.

Sand-bagging is when you have premium hand but you play it as if it has a lower value. One thing that makes sand-bagging dangerous is the players in play and your community cards.  If you have a primo hand in late position but no players to play with, then it probably wouldn't work out in your favor versus having many players to play with. The key to sand-bagging is to allow the other players to put in money into the pot and you tag along for the ride until the big finish. Another disadvantage to sand-bagging is community cards that look like they might help your opponents. Say for instance you have aces or kings in your hand and everyone limps in, then the flop shows three cards could make a possible straight or flush, it's best to no longer sand-bag but instead let your opponents pay to have them see that straight or flush on the board. If the community cards are random then smile and allow your opponents to fall into your trap.

Another strategy is opposite of sand-bagging, rather you're raising high against a position in front of you. We call this strategy "stealing the pot." Now you're not really stealing anything, you're actually intimidating your opponents to fold. One way for stealing is using your late position to bluff by raising a high amount against the small blinds or the remaining players. This strategy is very effective, especially if you have a larger stack or you're raising against a "rock" (a person who rarely plays except for super premium cards). This strategy also allows you to to judge what kind of cards your opponents will stay with or fold if you make it to the showdown. If an opponent does call your raise then proceed with caution, likely they'll have a hand they want to play with. But also if you happen to check the following betting round expect a raise back. Always be aggressive rather than passive...not unless you hit the flop and you're wanting to sand-bag.

Now what if you're only at a table with two or three other players? Do you still use position? Absolutely. More than likely you're going to be working with short hand poker strategy but it's always best to have your best solid game still. You can still steal the pot, sand-bag, and even use your position against your opponents. Chances are the blinds are going to be big, so the intimidation factor comes out in your play. If you're weak in the game, it'll show.

Be sure to follow me @pokercinch or for any other questions email me at snailderail@gmail.com.