Importance of table position for beginners

[Recrea_pkr]

When I started playing, I didn't give much importance to position, I just looked at my cards. Now I see that being on the button or in the big blind completely changes the strategy.
Do you think that beginners should focus first on learning about the position or the starting hands?
Pdt: I play empirically to see other players in the poker world play but I haven't studied but I would love to

 

[Iryna Stryzheuskaya]

Players should watch their position at the table and their cards. Any pair of cards can play differently from different positions.

 

[Brigistul]

Position first, then cards and flop! You learn strategy over time after thousands of games, the rest is luck.

 

[wushibala]

It depends on the tables you’re playing. If it’s freerolls, then it’s a total madhouse — people will call you with any cards and any stack. But if you’re playing cash games or MTTs for real money, then yes, position really does matter.

 

[pentazepam]

Position is paramount both in poker and real estate.

Table Selection, Position, and bankroll Management are arguably the top three things you must master to be successful in poker after you learn the basic rules and hand strengths.

Being in position can help you both with extra information and how much money goes into the pot. It's like having an extra street with a raise or cutting off a street with a check, so it only becomes two streets in holdem if you want to - especially with the ability to check behind at the river. And betting (or raising) for value or bluff is almost always easier if you are last to act.

 

[MishkaZL]

When I started playing, I didn't give much importance to position, I just looked at my cards. Now I see that being on the button or in the big blind completely changes the strategy.
Do you think that beginners should focus first on learning about the position or the starting hands?
Pdt: I play empirically to see other players in the poker world play but I haven't studied but I would love to

Beginners need to focus on learning position and starting hands. Only by combining these two factors can you achieve good results. Poker is a very multi-faceted game, so you need to learn to control all aspects of the game.

 

[fernandovr]

Position is fundamental in poker. Playing in position gives you more information and increases your chances of making the right decisions.

 

[Skot_Gy]

indeed, beginners should focus more on things besides just the two cards in hand.
The faster one learns this, the better for him

 

[Fallenglory]

Starting hands is a must, you don't want to have to strategise for each hand. Later when you can put opponents on a range of hands you can adept a bit more to that.

Position is great, but not key. For instance it's pretty easy to check-call or check-raise later position players with a good hand.

 

[Mig32]

When I started, I made the same mistake of ignoring position and only caring about my cards, but over time I realized how much position affects every decision at the table. Personally, I think beginners should learn both starting hands and position together, because one complements the other—you can open wider on the button, but you need to be more selective from early position. Even if you’re playing more by feel and watching others, just being aware of how position changes your range will already give you a big edge. If I could go back, I’d study position earlier, because it really changes the way you see the game.

 

[anasslaaleg]

One of the first lessons every poker player should learn: your position matters more than your cards.
Being "in position" (acting last in betting rounds) gives you more information and control.
Hands that are risky to play in early position become much stronger on the button or cutoff.
Beginners often underestimate this and end up playing too many weak hands out of position, leading to problems.
If you're just starting out, keep it simple: play tighter in early position and looser in late position. Position is the key to success at the table.

 

[antonis32123]

Starting hands , ranges of hands that are playable in every position , these are good concepts to learn . Position really matters and newcomers sould learn this fast . In early position it's too tough to protect your hand , in layer positions you have more options