Button
The button is a disc marking the nominal dealer in Hold'em. The player on the button acts last after the flop, making it the best seat at the table.
The button (or dealer button) is a small disc, often marked with a "D", that shows which player is the nominal dealer for the hand. In casinos and online, a house dealer actually deals the cards, but the button still decides who posts the blinds and who acts when. The player "on the button" has the most powerful seat at the table because they act last on the flop, turn and river.
How the button works
- The two players to the button's left post the small blind and big blind before any cards are dealt.
- Cards are dealt one at a time clockwise, starting with the small blind, so the button gets the last card each round.
- Preflop, the button acts after everyone except the two blinds.
- After the flop, the button always acts last.
- When the hand ends, the button moves one seat to the left (clockwise), so everyone gets a turn.
Heads-up exception: when only two players are dealt in, the button posts the small blind, acts first preflop, and acts last on every later street.
Why the button is the best seat
Because the button acts last postflop, the player there sees every opponent's decision before making their own. That is guaranteed position for the whole hand, no matter who else is involved. It also means only two players, the blinds, are left to act behind you preflop, so raises from the button win the blinds without a fight more often than raises from earlier seats.
As a result, many solid players open a much wider range of hands on the button than from any other seat. Hands that are folds from early position, like K♦ 9♦, Q♠ 10♥ or 6♣ 5♣, often become profitable raises on the button.
Example hand
Blinds 1/2. Everyone folds to you on the button with Q♥ 9♥. You raise to 5. The small blind folds and the big blind calls, making the pot 11. The flop comes J♣ 7♦ 3♠ and you have nothing but a queen-high backdoor draw. The big blind checks. Because you act last, you can choose: make a small continuation bet to win the pot right now, or check behind and see the turn for free. Either way, the big blind must act first on every street, which makes their decisions harder.
Button strategy tips
- Steal often: when everyone folds to you, raise a wide range to attack the blinds.
- Call more raises: calling an opener from the button is more comfortable because you keep position.
- 3-bet late openers: players in the cutoff often open wide, and the button can fight back with a re-raise.
- Don't overdo it: against a big blind who defends often and plays well, tighten up a little.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called the button?
It refers to the small disc placed in front of the player who is the nominal dealer for the hand.
Does the button act last preflop?
No. Preflop the small blind and big blind act after the button. From the flop onward, the button always acts last.
Who posts the blinds heads-up?
In heads-up play the button posts the small blind and the other player posts the big blind.
Related poker terms
- Position — Position in poker is where you sit relative to the button, which decides when you act. Acting later gives you more information and more control.
- Small Blind — The small blind is the forced bet posted by the player directly left of the button, usually half the big blind. It's also the name of that seat.
- Big Blind — The big blind is the larger forced bet posted two seats left of the button before the deal. It sets the minimum bet and is the last to act preflop.
- Cutoff — The cutoff is the seat directly to the right of the button. It's the second-best position at the table and a prime seat for raising to steal the blinds.
- In Position — In position (IP) means you act after your opponent on each postflop street. You see their decision first, which makes every choice easier.
- Heads-Up — Heads-up means a poker hand or game with only two players. Ranges get much wider, and the button posts the small blind and acts first preflop.