Whats position?

Stu_Ungar

Stu_Ungar

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When reading posts on this site I often hear people say things like
"play tight unless you are in position"

I have just read a post where the guy talks about playing in position or "late position"

So .. in this context what is position?

I had previously assumed that it was lingo for late position but now I am not so sure.
 
S93

S93

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It is late postion, button or the cut-off seat usually.
 
ajrobin

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Position is where you are sat in relation to the button. Theres generally 5 stereotypical positions: Button, Blinds (SB,BB), Early Position, Middle Position and Late Position (also could have CO which is cut off, 1 before button). Your position plays a large role in what cards you should play, generally you can play looser in later positions as you will be LAST to act, which means you'll have more information then anyone else that round. In early position generally keep to your premium hands as you dont know what the people behind you may have ect.

Hope this helps
 
ChuckTs

ChuckTs

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Position can either mean in relation to the button, or it can be relative to other players. For ex:

UTG raises
UTG+1 (us) calls
everyone else folds

Now we're both in early position preflop, but we have position on him.
 
Steveg1976

Steveg1976

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being in position can simply mean that you will have position ( act last ) for the rest of the hand in relation to the only other player left. So for instance if UTG (under the gun) raises for 3bb and you in UTG+1 call and the rest of the table fold, you are in a early position but in this instance will have position on the only remaining person in the hand.

What Chuck Say ^^^
 
F

feitr

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"In position" generally refers to having the best position on the table post flop. So, as was said before, even if you are in UTG+1 if it is just you + UTG you have position. And the best position is simply the last to act. So preflop the BB has the best position while post flop it is the button. The reason that button/CO are such strong positions is not only do you act last post flop, but you act very late preflop as well.

An example:

You have AJo in MP and raise it 3xBB. Now say the CO reraises you. It is incredibly difficult to play this hand now if you choose to call. Not only do you not know if you are even ahead if you hit the flop (he might have a better ace or a big pocket pair) but it is almost impossible for you to win the pot if you miss the flop because the CO has position on you.

Now say MP raises and you reraise on the button with say AJo. 1. there is a good chance he'll have to fold preflop but even if he doesn't 2. if you both miss the flop you will probably win the pot by c-betting. So even tho in both cases you have the same hand, the chances of you being able to win the pot is far far higher when you have position.
 
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