What Does In Position Mean in Poker?
Playing ‘In Position’ means acting after your opponent in a betting round, providing strategic advantage by seeing their actions first. Online poker allows you to experience this advantage even more strategically.
When You Might Hear Or Use The Term In Position
During discussions about strategic advantages in both live and online games, especially when emphasizing the importance of acting last in a hand.
In-Game Example
You’re on the button in a cash game and hold 109. Everyone folds to the cutoff, who raises. You call. On the flop, the cutoff bets, and you get to see their action before deciding whether to continue with your straight draw.
Strategy / Tips
- Best Practice: Use your position to gather information and control the size of the pot.
- Common Mistake: Neglecting to leverage position, especially by checking back when aggression is more profitable.
- Pro Tips: Utilize position to bluff more effectively and to extract maximum value with strong hands.
- Differences playing over the table vs online: In live games, physical tells can complement positional advantage, while online, focus more on betting patterns and timing.
Alternative Names
IP (abbreviation)
FAQs
- Q: What is the biggest advantage of being in position?
A: The ability to see your opponent’s actions first, allowing you to make informed decisions. - Q: Does being in position mean I should always bet?
A: Not necessarily. It gives you the choice to bet, check, or raise based on the situation.
