Table Position and Awareness

Here's a holdem truth, and they're hard to come by: The last person to act in a betting round knows more than the first person to act in a betting round.

Sounds simple enough, but it has a profound impact on the game.

First off, let's look at the positions at the holdem table:

Small blind - because the small blind has already posted half a bet, they are partially invested in the pot. If no one raises, they can pay another half of a bet and see the flop "for cheap". After the first betting round, the small blind is at the distinct disadvantage of being the first player to act on all the remaining betting rounds.

Big Blind - posts a full bet. If no one raises, the big blind can play whatever two cards they were dealt for free. On the first betting round the big blind is the last to act. After that, the big blind is in early position and must act before most of the opponents in the hand.

Early Position - those players that are first to act in a betting round are in early position. Most of the table acts after they do, so they have little information to go on. There is a good chance of someone behind them raising, or even re-raising.

Middle Position - as you would expect. Those players that are able to see roughly half the players act ahead of them, but still have several players acting behind them are in middle position.

Late Position - the last two players to act are in late position. They have the chance to watch most of the table act before they themselves are forced to make any decisions.

How does Position Affect Your Play?

From later position, you have an idea of the number of players that will be seeing the flop, and also how strongly they feel about their hands. This will let you make better-informed decisions.

Example 1:
You are sitting at a limit holdem table and look down to see 55 in the hole. Sitting in late position, you watch as three players call the big blind, and enter the pot.

A pair of fives might not be the best hand at the table right now, but one time in eight you will find a five on the flop. That would give you a great hand. Since there are already three players in the pot, and the small and big blinds may call also, you figure to win a nice sized pot if you land your set. So, armed with this information, you can call the bet and see what happens.

Now, you're in early position with that same pair of fives. You have no idea what the other players in the hand are going to do. If you call the big blind, maybe other players will call also, and you'll have the chance to win a big pot if you land your three-of-a-kind on the flop.

Maybe, no one will call besides you, and the pot will be small. If you do land your set, the payoff may not have been worth the risk. Maybe there will be a raise and a re-raise behind you, and you'll need to fold your fives after having already paid a bet.

That's just one example of how being in or out of position affects how the cards are played. Here is another.

Example 2:
In early position, you look down to see KJo in the hole. King-Jack is not a bad hand, but it is not a good hand either. To keep from getting trapped in a hand against someone with better cards, you muck your KJo.

Suppose you have that hand on the button (last to act). If everyone had folded to you, you can play KJo. Instead of fearing what 8 or 9 other players might have, there are only two more players to contend with. In fact, you could even raise in this position trying to force the blinds to fold to your "strong hand". Raising would not be an option available to you if you weren't in late position.

That's another example of how position affects the way you play the cards.

What Cards Should You Play?

Play the following: