Online Poker Position Strategy

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Online poker, like live poker, plays in a unique way, depending on your position. If you understand this concept, then much of what you do during the game will hinge on the position you are in relative to the dealer button. It will also dictate what choices the other online poker players will make within the game at your table.

What is position? The button moves consistently through out every game, where it sits identifies your position. On the button means you are the very last person to act in a post flop hand, whereas to the left of the button will be the first to act. Your online poker strategy should be dictated by the each of the following 3 positions; early, middle and late.

When you are in the earliest position you are unable to see how the other players will chose to play their hands. This weakened position means you should play your hand with great caution, and typically fairly tight. When a player is aggressive in this position it will typically indicate a strong hand, unless the player is very loose. However it may also indicate a bluff because some players (though rarely) will use this logic against strong players. In earliest position you should try to only play premium hands such as AK, AQ, AJ suited,and high pocket pairs (JJ or higher).

The middle position gives you neither a significant advantage, nor a significant disadvantage. You will have had the opportunity to see what some people have chosen to do, as well as come before others. This gives you some element of surprise, as it will be more difficult for the other players to know for certain if you’re playing tight or loose, aggressive or cautious. This position can be played well by constantly monitoring the other players and taking mental notes of the actions around you. In this position you should try to only play more premium hands such as AK, AQ, AJ suited,and high pocket pairs (JJ or higher), but you can also play some things like KQ, QJ, JT suited, AK, AQ and AJ offsuit.

The most preferred position to have in a poker game is late in the round (preferably on the button). This facilitates the ability to pay attention to everything the other online poker players have chosen to do and makes it easier to steal a lot of pots. In online poker, information is king, the more you have the better you will know how to play your hand. No one will be able to predict your actions for you, and you will be able to weigh all of your options based on the action around the felt. In later position you will be able to play a lot more hands such as suited cards (ie AhTh), connected cards (JT offsuit), suited connected cards (9c8c) and all pocket pairs (preferrably 7s or higher).

To guide your choices, if you are sitting early in the round, at or near the button, make sure you only play the strongest hands. If you are sitting late in the round you will have the best chance to compete with more drawing hands. (fold early, bluff late)

Playing late also gives the online poker player a distinct advantage. If you are playing early, and you draw a pocket J-J, it’s a strong hand, but still beatable. If another player chooses to raise, you will be more tempted to fold, instead of play it. The opposite concern is true as well. If you have a monster hand, such as A-A and place a bet as the first move, you may scare the other players out of the hand, and this means no pot increase. Should you hold the same hands late, you will be able to better estimate the best amount to bet to assure people will call you, instead of fold.

Keeping this as a guide for your play play your hands based on your position. Playing your position properly can lead to greater success and more consistent wins

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