Making sense of position in poker

In poker there are a number of important factors that have to be considered when you make the determination if, and how, you will play your hand pre-flop. You have to consider, your hand, your position (which tells you the previous action and the number of players still to act), your current table image (especially in terms of the players remaining to act), as well as the overall table dynamics.

However, all of the considerations are contingent on your position. Your position is the linchpin in determining how your hand should be played, and should be considered the main cog which spins all of the cogs (your hand, table image, and table dynamic).

For instance, the strength of your hand is contingent upon your position: Under the Gun A8s is far from a powerhouse and will typically be folded, but on the Button, with weak players in the blinds it’s an easy raise.

The best analogy I can make for position’s importance in poker is to the game clock in a Football game. Running the ball on 1^st and 10 from the 50 yard line in the First Quarter is a “normal” play-call; running the ball on 1^st and 10 from the 50 yard-line with 3 seconds remaining in the half is preposterous -and will result in a chorus of boos from the stands.

Position supplies you with the information you need to determine the best possible play. Your table image is a non-factor if there is a raise, a re-raise and an all-in in front of you. If you are Under the Gun the table dynamics are an important consideration since you have little information; if you are on the button you don’t need to make a general assessment of the table since you have already seen 80% of the players act!

Position basically changes the importance of each of the other factors, or it clarifies it. It is the only constant aspect of your decision. So, while position can change the strength of your cards, reduce the number of players that will be impacted by your table image, and give you absolutes instead of generalities when it comes to the table dynamics: NONE of these things can change your position at the table.

This is not to say that position is the most important factor, it simply means the other factors rely on your current position to determine their importance and how to best make use of your position.