Playing Position
The Importance of Position – Position is often referred to as one of the most important dynamics in all of poker. When you are able to play your hands in position you will have a significant edge on your opponents. Amateur players have a difficult time understanding why position is so important, after all it doesn’t change your hand. Playing a pot in position is better than playing a pot out of position for multiple reasons, many of which might not be apparent at the surface.
If you were new to the game of poker you might think that position can only play a small role, but you would be completely wrong. Your position is going to be particularly important when it comes to pre flop play. When you use your position to your advantage pre flop you will be setting yourself up for post flop success.
One of the primary reasons that being in position is so advantageous is because it is a challenge for the players in a hand who are out of position. Being in position isn’t so much about what you have (position) but what the other players don’t have.
Playing in Position – How to Play in Position
Pre flop play is an area of poker that many players have mastered. There is no longer easy money to be made with proper pre flop play. There is, however, room to exploit players who adhere to basic ABC poker strategy. When you are in position you will be able to manipulate the other players in the hand. Your position will allow you to make stronger reads, force more folds, and will generally make everything that much easier.
If you were to make a re raise in position pre flop, even with a weak hand, you would have the upper hand when the flop was dealt, regardless of whether you connected with it. But why? Poker players are naturally scared or intimidated by other players’ aggression; when you are in position you are able to squeeze more intimidation out of your opponents than would otherwise be possible.
Think about how difficult it can be to play a hand when you make a raise, are re raised, and then have to act first when the flop is dealt. If you connect with the flop you can still play the hand incorrectly simply because you don’t know how the other player is going to react.
When you are in position, however, you have the advantage of knowing exactly what the other player is going to do, at least initially. This is why you can get away with re raising pre flop with weak hands or strong hands. When you brick the flop you will be able to take down the pot through a continuation of your pre-flop aggression.
When you hit the flop you will be able to consider what your best game plan is. The entire premise of playing in position is that you will have the upper hand. When other players are forced to act first they will be giving away valuable information, information that you will be able to use to your advantage. Try to play pots in position and avoid marginal spots where you would be forced to play a hand out of position.
SUMMARY: How to Play in Position and Why It’s Important
Position is one of the most valuable weapons in poker, but many players just don’t understand why. When you play pots in position you are able to extract valuable information from your opponents with little to no added costs.
