How to Use Position Strategies in Texas Hold 'Em Poker

Poker is part luck, part strategy.

When you play Texas Hold 'Em, it is crucial to understand how to play your table position to increase your odds of winning. You should change the strategy you use depending on your location on the poker table.

Things You'll Need

• Poker game

Instructions

1. Understand the breakdown of a Texas Hold' Em poker table. Your position on the poker table is determined by the location of the dealers "button" on the table. The button is the small disc that represents the dealer and is moved clockwise around the table.

2. Using a full ten-seat Texas Hold 'Em poker table, you can break it down into three sections. If there were less than ten players at the table, each section would consist of fewer players. The three sections (positions) are early, middle and late.

3. Early positions are the first four players. This initially starts with the blind player, and includes the next two players to the left. When playing in this table position, play stronger hands. All other players will be acting after you, so you should be able to withstand a raise or two. Most poker players consider an early position to be a bad position during the hand.

4. Middle positions consist of the three players to the left of the early position players. You have the advantage of watching the play of earlier players, but you can also get caught in between the play of them and late position players. It is advised that you watch the actions of early players, but never forget that the late players are keeping an eye on you.

5. Late positions are the three remaining players on a Texas Hold 'Em poker table. These are the best positions to have when you are playing poker. The very last player (the player on the button) has the best advantage. Late position players have a chance to watch all of the previous plays before they have to act. Your odds for bluffing are better in these poker seats during a hand. You can bluff you way to a win from late position by simply making a bet. You can also have a winning hand and not raise it, which can create a more profitable pot for you.

Tips & Warnings

• Always know what position you are in for each hand and play it according.

References

• World Series of Poker: Texas Holdem Strategy