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.
Position describes where you sit relative to the dealer button, and therefore when you act in each betting round. Players who act later see what everyone before them did, which is a huge advantage. Many experienced players consider position one of the most important concepts in Texas Hold'em, right after hand selection.
How position decides the order of action
The button moves one seat clockwise after every hand, so everyone's position rotates.
- Preflop: the small blind and big blind post first. Action then starts with the player to the left of the big blind (under the gun) and moves clockwise, ending with the big blind.
- Flop, turn and river: action starts with the first active player to the left of the button, and the button acts last.
The seat names
At a 6-max table the seats, in preflop acting order, are:
| Seat | Group | Postflop |
|---|---|---|
| Under the gun (UTG) | Early | Usually out of position |
| Hijack (HJ) | Middle | Varies |
| Cutoff (CO) | Late | Often in position |
| Button (BTN) | Late | Always last |
| Small blind (SB) | Blinds | Always first |
| Big blind (BB) | Blinds | Usually out of position |
A 9-handed full-ring table adds more early and middle seats, commonly named UTG, UTG+1, middle position (MP) and lojack (LJ) before the hijack.
Why acting last is so valuable
- Information: you see whether opponents check or bet before you decide.
- Pot control: you can check behind for a free card or keep a pot small with medium hands.
- Bluffing: when opponents check to you, it often signals weakness you can attack.
- Value: you can bet when checked to and raise when your opponent bets into your strong hand.
Being in position means acting after your opponent; being out of position means acting first.
Example: the same hand in two seats
You hold K♠ 10♠. From under the gun at a 9-handed table, eight players act after you, and any of them could hold A-K, K-Q or a big pair, so folding is often correct. On the button, only the two blinds remain. Raising K♠ 10♠ is a standard play, and if the big blind calls, you will act last on every street. The cards did not change; the position did.
Using position in your strategy
- Play tighter from early position and wider from late position.
- Prefer calling raises in position rather than out of position.
- Steal the blinds more often from the cutoff and button.
- Before every decision, ask how many players still act after you and who will act last on the flop.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best position in poker?
The button, because it acts last on the flop, turn and river in every hand.
What is the worst position in poker?
The small blind is often considered worst because it acts first after the flop. Under the gun is the toughest preflop seat because the whole table acts after you.
Why does position matter in poker?
Acting last lets you see what opponents do before you decide, which helps you bluff, value bet and avoid costly mistakes.
Related poker terms
- 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.
- 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.
- Out of Position — Out of position (OOP) means you must act before your opponent on each postflop street, which gives them extra information and makes your decisions harder.
- Under the Gun — Under the gun (UTG) is the seat directly left of the big blind. It acts first preflop, so it calls for the tightest range of starting hands.
- 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.
- Hijack — The hijack is the seat two places to the right of the button, just before the cutoff. It's a middle-to-late position for opening a moderate range.