Position on the table

arbinator

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No i dont mean that favourite position, although if you want to share any stories i am sure everyone will be interested.
Position on the table in relation to the dealer & blinds when making big bets or checking.

Also when sitting at the table where should you position yourself, next the the strongest player, furthest away from the stronger players, or does it not matter where you sit?
 
zachvac

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You want to be across the table from the stronger players, so his UTG corresponds to your late position. With fish you want position on them, so you want to be on the left of them.
 
OzExorcist

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I firmly believe that you need to be able to adapt your play so that it doesn't matter who's sitting where - probably a hangover of learning to play live and in tournaments, where you often don't get a choice of seats.

That said though, when you do have a choice it's pretty much what Zach said. If the strong players are across the table from you then you shouldn't have to butt heads with them too often, and when you do you should have position.

I'm happy with weak players on either side of me - if they're on my right they can be pushed around, if they're on my immediate left their blinds should be easy targets.

Fish near you, sharks away from you (preferable on another table).
 
dj11

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Since you so seldom have a choice of who to sit next to, this question is moot.

Live ring games you usually will NOT be starting a table with known opponents, and will usually end up on a list where you take the available seat.

Tourneys, you have no say whatsoever.

Online ring games give you a bit more leeway, but in reality, not much.

Moot useless question. Vary the question to something along the lines of 'How to play LAG/TAG/MANIACS/FISH to your immediate left or right' and you'll get valuable answers.
 
zachvac

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Since you so seldom have a choice of who to sit next to, this question is moot.

Live ring games you usually will NOT be starting a table with known opponents, and will usually end up on a list where you take the available seat.

Tourneys, you have no say whatsoever.

Online ring games give you a bit more leeway, but in reality, not much.

Moot useless question. Vary the question to something along the lines of 'How to play LAG/TAG/MANIACS/FISH to your immediate left or right' and you'll get valuable answers.

Sorry but this is wrong. I'm not familiar with live ring play, but online ring play I know I've heard high-stakes pros will specifically seek out tables where they can get the seat to the left of the fish. What do you think table selection refers to?
 
OzExorcist

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Sorry but this is wrong. I'm not familiar with live ring play, but online ring play I know I've heard high-stakes pros will specifically seek out tables where they can get the seat to the left of the fish. What do you think table selection refers to?

In casino cash games, you typically put your name on a list and get given the first available seat. So you don't really have a choice. That's just your initial seat though - once you're at the table, if someone leaves most places will let you move to that seat.

So you don't get as many choices live as you do online (unless you're especially friendly with the floor people, I guess), but that's not to say it isn't important.

Online, I think it's pretty much essential. I don't play ring games much, but when I do I'm very careful selecting my table and seat.
 
EvilGenius

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i am also a firm believer that you should be able to adapt your play no matter who is sitting next to you. reason being, the variables at a table change so quickly with people constantly coming and going, playing your position becomes a lot more important than who is sitting next to you. obviously, starting out you don't want a shark sitting to your right or your left because they will often have position on you and make plays back at you. but as variables at the table change, you often don't have a say in that matter. once you begin to realize that your position is being challenged often, i would suggest picking up and moving to another table where you can use your position to your advantage.

as far as betting from position. i suggest that it is almost always better to raise from position than it is to call or limp. it gives you a chance to take down the pot on the spot, and also gives you the opportunity to show strength post flop. the down fall is that early position could easily slow play a superior hand knowing that you are going to bet out, so you've got to be aware and fold in unfavorable circumstances.
 
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i agree with evilgenuis if you cant addapt your play and mixing things up from time to time a smart player will learn your betting habits thus online tells quick
 
sandbender

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Since you so seldom have a choice of who to sit next to, this question is moot.

However, some online SnGs give you your choice of seats, and that's a big factor when often there are 3 or 4 known players at the table, and the rest are easy to look up.

The same applies to online ring games, especially if you're using software.

But of course position in the hand is more important than position on the table.
 
arbinator

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when i have played private cash games the choice of seat is down to first come first served, also on line ring games you can also select your tale and chair. I agree tournaments are different and you probably dont get a choice, but even then my experience is you get told which table you are at and then you pick your chair again.

I also agree that you have to adapt your game to be able to play where ever you sit, but as this is the beginners section i welcome all posts and comments, no matter how "moot" people may think they are.
 
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