What's the best way of playing out of position?

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ShowMaster14

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what's the best way of playing in SMALL BLIND and also under the gun?

What range of hands would you defend, attack or even call all ins?
What betting range should you apply pre-flop and post-flop?

I know these are also depends on the table, level and players...I have an understanding of how to play early positions but I really want to improve cos am not that confident..is there any charts or books that I should read, hands to stick to..etc.

Many thanks..
 
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cyclone45

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I just play pocket pairs from 7 up to maybe AJ-AA Small blind I call ATC if there's no raises
 
Timmah120

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I tend to play early position a bit more aggressively than in other positions pre-flop. Cash games, I play tight. Tournaments, it depends on a lot of factors.

I really wish there was a straight answer, but unfortunately, there isn't.

The "general" consensus, I believe, is that the earlier position you are in POST-FLOP, the stronger the hand you'll need (or at least should have). Most of your play should be in position; try to get position on your opponents as much as possible. Play very few hands from early position....just do that, and you will save a ton of money in the long run.

Remember, tournaments are different...a bit more complex. I try my best to keep my opponents guessing when in a tournament situation. If I believe they think I'm tight (or I am trying to present that image), I'll raise 4-5x the big blind under-the-gun with almost anything from time to time. If they believe I am loose, I will simply tighten up and string them along through the betting patterns when I flop a strong hand.

Hope this helps a bit...I'm still kind of new to these forums.
 
Luan

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the best way and you get top pair and never limp!
 
horizon12

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Read the book Kill Everyone Lee Nelson , GTO still actual, I think you will find a lot of useful about your question..
 
VizziVizo

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I usually play monsters and pocket pairs 10 and up.
 
mendiolacubicle

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I agree with timmah20, the projection or impression you have on the table is a factor to decide what hands should be played, it's pretty wide topic.
 
Ducbim

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When out of position I often tight up a lot, and tighter on BB than SB. I would never slow play or trap my opponent with big hands when OOP, because I have to act first in betting rounds. I only call with good drawing hands like small pairs, broadway cards, suit connectors when I have really good odds to call raise preflop.
 
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hffjd2000

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Every book will tell you different standard range.

I think your playing range must be a step higher than your calling range.
 
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cantwinaflip

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As everyone else has said it is entirely player dependent/table dependent. In general though I try not to bloat the pot out of position as I feel this is one of players biggest leaks.
 
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cotta777

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The best way to play out of position, is not too often and not like a fish

For example if your image a pretty solid and you were to one off donk-bet (not advisable)
but as an example, your probably going to get credit against a decent player as you have been playing pretty solid and your not the type of player to bet for no reason.
Also a squeeze out of position is a strong move when it's seldom used,

again depends what your table is like if they are bad players and you play aggressively OOP your probably going to add a few extra pots to your bankroll.

As many state above the range is always tighter OOP
 
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mendiolacubicle

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in my opinion, only way to play OOP is to raise preflop if not, better fold it pre.
 
EA2USN

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IOP the only way to profitably play out of potion is to FOLD.


If you have a big hand play it strong and aggressively, its better to win the blinds/a small pot than to get stuck making a decision latter in the hand out of position for a lot of $$$$.
 
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ShowMaster14

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Thanks guys..I am much more confident in my play out of position especially when it comes to 9 max.

I have realised that 6 max is become much easier to play OFP, would you agree?
 
thetick33

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im a tourney player I limp in that position hoping have say aa and people get dumb.

I am pretty tight for first two hours of tournaments or what I consider tight lol. I make moves at right time from application and experience but play tighter out of position. I dont really push hard unless I have to having nine guys behind you is not ideal for me.

I always hear also the be scared of that first position guy doing nothing. I see so many just double ? What is that? I really think doubling blinds is about weakest movement possible. I do mix up later and trick people with even that move but blinds are bigger is not like is 20 and you double blinds lol.
 
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vinest

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each player has its own strategy and tactics of the game. players 6- max. tables for more than aggressive play. than 9 max. if you are so comfortable to play then go ahead for winning)))
 
DonV73

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They best way to play OOP, is not play at all.
But if you do decide to play OOP, I would advice a defensive strategy. So don't open bet.
 
romych007

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in these positions need to play only premium hands, it's aces, kings, queens. they must be aggressively play to avoid losing players in late position in which much wider range of hands
 
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scooba13

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what's the best way of playing in SMALL BLIND and also under the gun?

What range of hands would you defend, attack or even call all ins?
What betting range should you apply pre-flop and post-flop?

I know these are also depends on the table, level and players...I have an understanding of how to play early positions but I really want to improve cos am not that confident..is there any charts or books that I should read, hands to stick to..etc.

Many thanks..

It depends how deep you are too

Small Blind - it seems like you are partially invested and so cheap to call a limp or a small raise but really it's not. The only non premium hands that play well are the small pocket pairs and maybe suited connectors. You're hoping to flop well, check to the raiser, and maybe bust their aces. The deeper you are the better.

But really avoid playing the small blind - especially reverse implied odds hands like weak aces and KT (and especially if there's a raise).

Under the gun play tight but... depending on how deep you are and how observant the players are it doesn't hurt to balance the range with things like suited connectors - if you only play premium hands from utg then you're never going to get much action.

If the table is tight and you have a decent stack then any position, including utg can be good for stealing - people tend to take utg raises more seriously so paradoxically, if your table lets you, this can be a good way of accumulating chips - especially near the bubble.

Preflop I tend to bet 2.5-3x from any position. Postflop I tend to bet half pot, third pot to 3/4 on later streets depending on a lot of things.
 
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Small blind has been hard for me to figure out exactly. I tend to have a wide range and hope the BB folds, assuming no limpers. If there are or bets, ehhh... I need advice too.

UTG? I have lost waaaaaay too many pots from this position with good but not premium hands. unless you are holding a monster its pretty often you have a 50-50 shot or worse. so, AA, KK,QQ, AK, and maybe AQ. I know its a really small range, but anything wider and I have found you likely will be behind or on a coin flip.
 
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benspocket

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i play any pair or high cards then hope they dont better and i do
 
Shumkoolie

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I think it's really table (player) dependent. If you're at a loose table where people are splashing, then you'll probably want to tighten your range. However, if you are at a tight table and people don't seem as interested in aggressively contesting for pots, then you should take the initative regardless of the position.

The one thing I have found is that from time to time, you can make playing OOP work to your advantage. Here's why.....

It takes a stronger hand to call a bet than to make a bet. The whole premise here is that although you are first to act and are at the mercy of your opponent, you can flip it around to your advantage because on every round of betting, you can be the first one to "tell a story" so to speak. It may involve firing multiple barrels. I'm not suggesting you do this a lot, but if you need to pick up a pot here and there in a S&G or MTT, utilizing this strategy may help you gain some chips. Very simply, it's about aggression and a lot of times, the more aggressive player is going to win pots especially prior to showdown.

If you find that you're getting to showdown a lot, you're more dependent on having very good hands and hope they hold up, but sometimes you have to be able to try and pick up pots before getting to showdown. Keep in mind that it's easier to utilize this strategy when you are not in a position where your only option is shoving (I hope that was made obvious).

Best of luck at the tables, and hope that some of this will be of help, I know a lot of good posts have been made prior to my response.
 
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felting

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make sure to raise occasionally from EP with less then premium hands as well as your premium hands. Otherwise you are being to predictable.
 
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wowasenotrusov

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Defend with pocket pairs and act according to your position. less than a couple of the better should be the position.
 
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JamesMoroski

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BEST TO PLAY OUT OF POS

UNLESS YOU HAVE A MONSTER FOLD FOLD FOLD Dan harrington goes by three rules DONT PLAY A Rag DONT PLAY OUT OF POSITION if you can help it AND FOLD if youre not sure youre gonna win the hand this is how you go DEEP IN EVERY MTT YOU PLAY and ive been very successful following this strategy. Once your ITM then open up your game a little
 
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