I can't help it, I just don't really think about position too much when I play.

All the poker books are constantly saying how important position is, but while I play somehow I just don't think about it too much. The only time I think about "position" is preflop, and I play weaker hands as my position improves since there is less of a chance the remaining players have a strong hand.

But postflop, I really don't see how having position on a player makes that big of a difference. What am I not understanding???

It matters because of who has to bet first. After the flop, if you have to bet first, you know nothing about how the flop has hit your opponent(s). Later positions know how you bet and have a distinct advantage.

create your own postion... gus hansen beleives in doing so.

Think about this: you raise utg w A♣ K♦, get one caller otb, and flop K♠ 7♠ 8♥. You bet 3/4 of the pot and get called by the button. The turn comes 10♠, making the board K♠ 7♠ 8♥ 10♠. Do you like having to act first here?

All true. having late position gives you an edge.

I also didnt get position at first but after much reading and browsing(thanks cardchat) it now makes sense.

for example recently when in late position (last or 2nd last) with a flop of 3 suited cards and no callers ive been pushing in a 3/4 pot bet (but at least 120) and lo and behold, most people run as they think you have the flush....of cos this doesnt always work but has been for me.

Some food for thought!!!

If only everyone were as good as Hansen and actually knew how to do this, and/or was comfortable with the style.

Fortunately, donks see GH play and only see the cards, not the other factors (like aggression) that go into making this style successful, and think they can play "any two" just like on TV!

The position is everything. I started playing shorthanded cash tables recently (micro stakes 5 NL and 10 NL) and i found i can successfully play players not cards. I see the game almost inside out. Eg. i do not feel like "A-A is a winning hand" instead i could say "button is a winning position". I do not care if i hold 2-7 or A-A or if i flop a royal flush - i make a lot of "too advanced" plays for the level to annoy those muppets (raise pot after min bet, etc.) so they become tilted and start playing even more weird. Of course, i get good cards once in a while and then hope they will pay me off, but it's something like 30% of the profit i make by having good cards and 70% by playing position/players.

From our Strategy Articles as well: Poker: Position