Position

Position is poker's hidden superpower—the structural advantage that separates winning players from losing ones. Acting after your opponents means seeing their decisions before making your own, transforming guesswork into informed strategy. From the button, you watch everyone act first on every street, then decide: bluff the check, value bet the passive call, or back off the aggression. Position is worth more than strong cards in many situations. A mediocre hand in position often beats a good hand out of position simply through superior information and pot control.

Table of Contents

• Position Names
• Why Position Matters
• Position Win Rates
• Playing From Each Position
• Positional Adjustments
• Advanced Concepts
• Common Mistakes

Position Names {#positions}

Standard 9-Handed Table

                    [Dealer Button]
                          |
    UTG+2 --- UTG+1 --- UTG --- BB --- SB --- BTN --- CO --- HJ --- MP
    (Lojack)  (Early)   (First)                     (Cutoff)(Hijack)(Middle)

6-Handed Table

    UTG --- BB --- SB --- BTN --- CO --- HJ

Position Categories

Why Position Matters {#why}

The Information Advantage

Position Benefits

Quantifying Position Value

A 50bb pot where you have 50% equity:

• In position: You realize ~55% due to better decisions
• Out of position: You realize ~45%

Position difference = 5% of pot = 2.5bb on average

Position Win Rates {#winrates}

Expected Win Rates by Position (bb/100)

Why These Numbers Matter

Annual sessions: 500,000 hands
BB/100 from BTN: +25
BTN hands: ~14% = 70,000 hands
BTN profit: 700 × 25bb = 17,500bb

BB/100 from SB: -35
SB hands: ~14% = 70,000 hands
SB loss: 700 × -35bb = -24,500bb

Position impacts your bottom line more than almost any other factor.

Volume Distribution (9-handed)

Playing From Each Position {#playing}

Early Position (UTG, UTG+1, UTG+2)

Recommended hands:

Premium: AA, KK, QQ, JJ, TT, AKs, AKo
Strong: 99, AQs, AQo, AJs, KQs
Marginal: 88, ATs, KJs, QJs (position-dependent)

Middle Position (MP, HJ)

Add these hands:

Pairs: 77, 66
Broadway: KJo, QJo, JTs
Suited: A9s-A5s, K9s, Q9s, suited connectors

Late Position (CO, BTN)

Button additions:

Any suited Ace, suited Kings
Most suited connectors (54s+)
Many offsuit broadways
Small pairs (55-22)
Gap connectors (97s, 86s)

Blinds (SB, BB)

Small Blind Strategy:

• Fold more than you think (especially vs opens)
• 3-bet or fold > calling
• Complete rarely (only limped pots)

Big Blind Strategy:

• Wide defense vs steals (getting odds)
• Check-raising range important
• Float with position heads-up

Positional Adjustments {#adjustments}

Range Widening by Position

*SB opens are usually 3-bets since BB is behind

Bet Sizing Adjustments

Post-Flop Position Value

Why: More streets = more decisions where position helps

Advanced Concepts {#advanced}

Relative Position

Your position relative to the aggressor, not the button:

Preflop raiser: CO
Flop callers: BTN, SB

Actual position order:
SB (first) → CO (raiser) → BTN (last)

BTN has position on the raiser even though SB acts first!

Button Strategy Deep Dive

Blind Stealing

From late position vs. tight blinds:

Example: Raise to 2.5bb, pot is 1.5bb (blinds)

If blinds fold >62.5%, any two cards profit on the steal.

Playing Out of Position (OOP)

When forced to play OOP:

Blind Defense

Common Mistakes {#mistakes}

Mistake 1: Playing Same Range Everywhere

Problem: Opening 22% from UTG and BTN Solution: Adjust range 12% → 50% based on position

Mistake 2: Ignoring Positional EV

Problem: "But I have KJs!" Solution: KJs from UTG vs BTN have VASTLY different EVs

Mistake 3: Over-Defending Blinds

Problem: "I have pot odds to call!" Solution: Pot odds aren't everything—reverse implied odds are high OOP

Mistake 4: Not Exploiting Position

Problem: Playing passively from the button Solution: C-bet more, float more, bluff more when in position

Mistake 5: Undervaluing Button

Problem: Folding playable hands on the button Solution: Many marginal hands become profitable with position

Position Checklist

Before every decision, ask:

Quick Reference {#reference}

Opening Ranges by Position

Position Axioms

1. Late position = more hands
2. Early position = premium hands only
3. Button is the best seat at the table
4. Blinds are for defending, not attacking
5. Position > cards in many situations

Related Calculators

• Equity Calculator - Position impacts equity realization
• Pot Odds Calculator - Calculate calling profitability