Poker Positions – Basics of UTG, Button and Big Blind

What is a poker position?

In poker there are always positions that are characterized by the order at the table and especially by the order of bidding. Positions are determined from the small blind. Have all positions special designations , which depend on how many players are at the table. A distinction is primarily made between heads-up (2 players), shorthanded (5-6 players) and full ring (9-10 players).

The position changes every round as the button moves. It is important that you understand as a basic principle that it is better to be late. In the Learn poker guide there are the basics. That's why it is Button is the strongest position in poker .

What positions are there at the poker table?

So that you get a comprehensive impression of what the game is like in the individual positions, we will introduce you to each individual poker position in detail. We are referring to One Full ring table with up to ten players . But you can also transfer the basic statements to smaller or larger tables.

Early positions: UTG

The UTG abbreviation stands for “Under the Gun”. With UTG the three positions after the two blinds designated. The abbreviations UTG1, UTG2 or UTG3 are also used for a detailed designation of the positions. These positions are particularly difficult to play because there are many players taking their turn after you.

You can win from any poker position. But from the UTG position (Under the Gun) It makes sense to only play with strong starting hands and to be aggressive in order to reduce the number of opponents early on. This works best with a raise or a check-raise. As a beginner, you should have a poker table with the best starting hands for UTG in front of you.

Middle positions MP

The middle positions are not easy to play in poker. You definitely have to Don't be as careful as you were in the early positions , but you don't have the strategic possibilities of the late positions. In practice, a lot depends on how the players behave before and after you. You should be able to assess well whether the players in the other poker positions are passive or aggressive.

If no raise has taken place yet, you can do yours Starting hand range choose something more generous. Pairs of 77+ and suited connectors like 78+ as well as high Broadways work well in any case. Without a raise in front of you, you can expand the range a little. However, if a raise has already taken place, middle pairs are still playable, but the suited connectors may not work as well anymore.

Late Positions Hijack, CO & BU

In principle it is always a good idea as a standard strategy tight-aggressive to play. However, you can play significantly more hands in late position: