bremp555
Enthusiast
Silver Level
I agree with you, position really makes a huge difference. Just yesterday in my session I had a hand where I was on the button with QJ suited. The flop came J-high with a couple of low cards, and the player in the big blind kept betting into me. Because I had position, I was able to just call and see how the action developed. By the river, he slowed down and I made a value bet that got paid.
If I had been out of position in that spot, it would have been much harder to control the pot or to know when to go for value. Instead, having position gave me the confidence to extract more chips while avoiding mistakes.
That’s why I think position is so important – it’s not only about playing stronger hands, but also about being able to react with more information. Do you also notice that your winrate is much higher on the button and cutoff compared to early positions?
If I had been out of position in that spot, it would have been much harder to control the pot or to know when to go for value. Instead, having position gave me the confidence to extract more chips while avoiding mistakes.
That’s why I think position is so important – it’s not only about playing stronger hands, but also about being able to react with more information. Do you also notice that your winrate is much higher on the button and cutoff compared to early positions?
dannystanks
Visionary
Silver Level
Position is power in poker for sure. If it’s checked to you, you get to decide if you want to see the next card for free. If it’s checked to you, you get to decide how much to charge your opponent. If it’s bet to you, you get to decide to just call or to raise and make the pot bigger. This is all a big advantage to have, so take advantage of it!
ScoobyEdu
How about some fun games?
Platinum Level
I think the coolest move of all, because you're playing in position, is that depending on the flop situation, we can make some kind of aggression that doesn't push the hand all-in. Because of this aggression, the opponent might try to check the turn, thus allowing us to get our action on the river for free.
This happens almost 90% of the time when the aggression on the turn is a raise or even a probe turn.
It's always important to be aware of this, because when we're playing many tournaments simultaneously, it helps a lot in some more complicated spots.
Mig32
Rock Star
Platinum Level
For me, the clearest example was when I was on the button with a suited connector against two early-position limpers. Being last to act, I could see the action develop on every street and control the pot size. On the flop, both checked, and I made a small bet that got called. The turn gave me a straight draw, and again they checked — I fired a bigger bet and one folded. By the river, I hit my straight and value-bet confidently, knowing exactly how passive they had been. If I had been out of position, I wouldn’t have had that same control, and I might not have extracted as much value.
S
skkz1997
Enthusiast
Silver Level
Acting after others gives you advantages not only in poker but in life. Knowing what your opponents have done and making decisions based on that will always be favorable. For me, this is one of the aspects in which poker most resembles the business world.