Playing Position in Poker
Playing position
Poker playing positions help to determine how and when a player acts, whether by forcing a hand or riding one out until the betting dictates play. The concept of playing positions in poker is one with which many beginners struggle, not least because it requires an element of discipline that is usually only seen among seasoned pros. Unfortunately, choosing to ignore the basic science behind playing positions can land many a fish in hot water.
In short, playing positions in poker refer quite literally to the seated positions of individual players around a table, whether real or virtual. Playing positions can have a significant effect on the nature of gameplay at a table, with the positions of certain types of player affecting the speed and aggression of betting and, likewise, the speed and aggression of players being affected by their seated positions. Playing positions in poker can tempt the strong to play loosely and the daring to play tight.
The position of players at a table in flop games such as Texas No Limit Hold`em is crucial for good reason. Because one player`s position remains relative to that of all others - barring tournaments, in which players are sometimes required to swap tables - betting is heavily influenced by the location of each player on a round-by-round basis. In any round of poker it is important for a player to base his or her decisions on as much information as possible. The most information will be available to the player who is positioned the `latest` in the hand, as he or she has seen all initial moves in the hand and can decide how best to act.
An example of how playing position usually favours late players can be made where the first player to bet - the person who sits to the left of the big blind - calls for the full amount of the minimum bet, then the second and third players fold but the fourth player acts differently, calling the minimum bet and then raising by a substantial amount. The fifth and sixth players - in this case the small and big blinds respectively - are positioned well to decide how to play their hands. The small blind might opt to fold with, say, a Q-9 off suite. The last player to act in the round has some degree of control over the situation, being able to force out weak or fishing players by re-raising, calling or simply folding a bad hand.
In the example above, the last player to act is perfectly positioned to bet or fold in accordance with the pot odds and whatever knowledge he or she has acquired about the fourth player, who may, for instance, have already shown a tendency to over-bet poor hands. Overly aggressive players are easily spotted in poker where their opponents pick and choose hands carefully as per their playing positions. Betting ahead of or before an exceptionally aggressive player often encourages safer play with moderately good hands and equally aggressive play with strong hands.
01.25.2011
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