Your position is defined by your relationship to the other players in terms of the betting on a particular hand.
Position is of utmost importance when the game is most competitive. For example, in baseball the home team bats last allowing them to define what it takes to win. When the game is tied, the home team only has to score one run to win. Down by three, then the home team must score four to win. In football, sometimes field position and the direction of the wind plays a big part in who wins. In poker, playing last is sometimes best.
Playing Last in Texas Hold’em- being able to win at poker
Poker players always want to see everyone else’s position at the table before exposing their own. In other words, having the last say, is sometimes the best say. It is common in Texas Hold’em for everybody to be sitting on a bunch of nothing. You are literally basing your decisions based on which “nothing” will outplay the others to win the pot. Superior position doesn’t always win, either. However it does make it more likely that you will make better bets, such as in the same way a general positions his troops on familiar terrain.
Keeping it simple is the best strategy in Texas Hold’em. Playing last is best, especially when only two players are in the pot. First position or second position behind a maniac, or in front of a maniac are sometimes advantageous, too. But overall, last position is the best position. Good players tend to play more hands when they are in the last position rather than an early position.
Seven Card Stud and Stud High Low
Playing position in seven card stud and stud high-low is a little different. Position here can vary according to game conditions. The highest board showing acts first from fourth street on. In other words, if king high bets first on fourth street, a player who gets an ace or pair of deuces might go first on fifth street. Players in the game tend to have an advantage over the player to their immediate right. However, positional considerations are always complicated in all stud games, so beware. Certain hands will be more playable if you’re not in the high hand position, and some hands can be played more aggressively if not playing first.
The biggest difference in positional complexity comes when comparing Omaha Hi-Lo to Hold’em. Being in last position is still the most advantageous, but there are is a downside. For example, trying to bluff from the last position is suicide against experienced players. Since Omaha is a game of sharing pots, sometimes the middle position is best. The middle position is the weakest position for most players both experienced and not so experienced.
Thinking on your feet and reacting to what’s on the table is the best way to win at poker, instead of reacting according to your positioning. Another way to say it is to go with the flow and to not lock yourself into predetermined thinking about the game.
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