Early Position
What Does Early Position Mean in Poker?
In poker, ‘Early Position’ (EP) refers to the players who are seated immediately to the left of the big blind in games like Texas Hold’em. These players must act first in a betting round, which is a disadvantage as they have less information about other players’ actions. Typically, the first three seats are considered early position, where players should play stronger hands due to their positional disadvantage. For more information on online poker, you can explore various strategies and tips.
When You Might Hear Or Use The Term “Early Position”
You might hear the term “early position” used when discussing table dynamics, hand ranges, or strategic adjustments in both live and online poker games.
In-Game Example
You’re seated in one of the first three positions to the left of the big blind. With a strong hand like AK, you decide to raise to assert your position despite being at a positional disadvantage.
Strategy / Tips
Best Practice: Play tighter and stronger hands from early position to compensate for the lack of information about opponents’ actions.
Common Mistake: Overvaluing marginal hands and playing too many hands from early position.
Pro Tips: Use your early position to set the tone for the hand; a well-timed aggressive play can sometimes deter opponents from acting too loosely.
Differences Playing Over the Table vs Online
In live poker, players might use physical tells to gather information from early position, whereas online players rely more on betting patterns and timing tells.
Alternative Names
Under the Gun (UTG) is commonly used to refer to the first player in early position.
FAQs
Q: Why is early position considered a disadvantage?
A: Because players must act first with little information about other players’ actions, making it harder to make informed decisions.
