Online Poker Table Position

Your position at the online poker table is your position in relation to the dealer. The dealer (or button) is at the best position, as he gets to see how all the players at the table react before making a decision. This is a much bigger advantage than it appears and is a huge key in online poker.

As you play Texas Holdem at online poker sites, the person located to the left of the dealer at the poker table is the small blind and they must act first after the flop. The person to the left of the small blind is the big blind. This person is another early position. The person to the left of the big blind acts first before the cards are dealt. This is often referred to as "being under the gun". The blinds and the person to the left of the blinds are considered in “early position.” Everyone that acts after these three people is in better position at the poker table. The next three players are in what is considered “middle position.” The final three players are in what is known as “late position.” The players in late position can play weaker hands because they already know what everyone else at the table is doing and it is a huge advantage in online poker.

In early positions players must be more selective with their hands, as they don't have the privilege of watching everyone else make a decision. For example, let’s say you are just left of the big blind and first to act. You have jack-10 unsuited. You limp in. The player to bet after you raises, and everyone folds. Now what? You are in trouble. The other player almost assuredly has a better hand than you do. Unfortunately, you've already bet, because you had no idea what anyone else at the poker table had in his hand. You are probably better off folding, but many players will call and get themselves into more trouble.

Being in the dealer’s position (or on the button) not only gives you the advantage of watching how the other players are betting, but it also gives you the ability to focus on the size of the pot. Sometimes you can flat out steal the pot by raising on the button if everyone else has just called. This is a button raise and very common in online Texas Holdem. You can also limp in with a weak hand hoping to catch a flop. The advantage to playing from late position is huge. You have a big advantage that sometimes is more important than your starting hand in online poker.

Remember in online poker that position is extremely important. Position can overcome a lot at the online poker table. Use it well the next time you are at the table.

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Byron Badd, Gambling911.com

Originally published April 1, 2007 12:45 pm ET