There’s a lot more to a winning poker strategy than just the cards
A good table position is perhaps one of the most important aspects to consider during a game of Texas Hold’em Poker. It is the ingredient that needs to be present in every single decision to be made during a hand; it is a constant factor that can determine how well positioned you can be. Just as it can turn into a disaster, understanding how different positions in the table can affect your game can become a powerful tool to take advantage of your opponents.
In order to dominate the world of poker, the best way to learn all the possibilities is with Texas Hold’em, as the game sets the perfect groundwork for those who are learning. As soon as you take a seat at a table, the first thing that needs to happen is to take note of how far from the button you are. Depending on the scenario, the button can go to just one person, or, as it is common nowadays, it can shift clockwise around the table.
Once the button is spotted, take a look at your relationship with it. The two players located to the left of the button, called the big and small blinds, are forced to bet even before cards are dealt. Having the small or big blind is not a desired position, but they exist to force some money into the pot. Once the cards are dealt, the ‘under the gun position’ is called first to action (the player to the left of the big blind). This position will force the player to call the bet or leave the game; this is not a position many players like to play.
On the other hand, closing the betting rounds can bring a huge advantage as you can take a look at your opponents’ actions before taking action yourself. This position allows more space to bet and risk more, as it can be easily controlled, and it is the one position most players use to engage aggressive betting.
