Position at the table at a site like Full Tilt is an underestimated part of poker game-play, and – if you know how to use your table position wisely – you’ll save a lot more money. I’ll start by defining just exactly what position is: basically, it’s your place at the table relative to the dealer button.
Poker Terms to know:
- Under the Gun – First person to act pre-flop. (Person after big blind)
- Middle Position – 2nd to 5th after BB.
- Late position – anything after middle position, right back round to the dealer button.
- Full-Ring – This means the table is full, it has 10 players.
- Short-handed – Fewer players, ~5 or 6.
Under the Gun.
You really cannot limp with anything shy of a good poker hand. How do you know what a ‘good’ hand is in this particular situation? Put it this way: is this the sort of hand that you’d call a raise with?
A lot of players at FullTiltPoker and other poker strategy articles will tell you not to limp, at all. I can’t agree with this strategy whole heartedly; to the contrary, I feel a call (under the gun) of moderate suited connectors is usually not a waste of money. The underlying principle is that because there are so many players still to act, it’s more likely that a raise will occur and you’ll be forced to muck your mediocre hand.
Middle Position.
Generally, raise with pockets over 7′s, and any AJ or higher (AJ, AQ, AK). Of course, you must also keep in mind (when raising) who has already called. Note how many callers have called before you. If there aren’t any, raising with your big Ace is not so strongly advised. You still want to see the flop.
Late Position.
Again, you must observe the number of callers prior to you. Are there a lot of limpers? Play your weaker hands.
As a general rule, you must remember that small blind and the other early positions are the worst positions to be in, and the dealer is always the best seat. (last to act.) You must also understand though, that there are large advantages in acting and betting first – it is much harder to call a bet, than it is to make one.
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