Why Position Is Power
After starting-hand selection, position is the next thing that quietly makes or loses money. Acting last gives you more information, lets you control the pot, and makes bluffs cheaper to attempt. Winning players take more of their profit from late position than from under the gun.
The Positions at a Full Table
Early Position
UTG, UTG+1. Act first. Play the tightest range — AA, KK, QQ, AK.
Middle Position
MP1, MP2. Slightly wider. Add JJ, TT, AQ, KQ suited.
Late Position
Cutoff, Button. Widest range. You see everyone act first.
Blinds
SB and BB. Forced money in. Worst post-flop position — act first every street.
How Position Changes Your Strategy
In Position (IP) — Acting Last
- You see what opponents do before deciding — massive information edge.
- You can control pot size: check back to keep it small, or bet to grow it.
- Bluffs are more effective because opponents must act first on future streets.
- You can play a wider range of hands profitably.
Out of Position (OOP) — Acting First
- You give away information before gaining any.
- Difficult to bluff because your opponent can raise or call and see a cheap card.
- Tighten your range. Focus on strong hands that don't need a positional edge.
Stealing Blinds
When it folds to you in late position (cutoff or button), you can raise with a wide range to "steal" the blinds. The blinds fold most of the time, giving you a small but consistent profit.
Defending Your Blinds
When someone raises and you're in the blinds, you need a strategy for defending. Don't defend too wide (you're out of position), but don't fold everything either (or you become easy to exploit).
- Defend wider against late-position opens (they're likely stealing).
- Defend tighter against early-position opens (they likely have strong hands).
- 3-bet (re-raise) with your strongest hands and some bluffs.