Poker Tips - Hold 'em

The Importance of Player Position

I still see experienced players IGNORE their position. Everyone will tell you that the best possible position is on the dealer button. As the cards are dealt, you have no money in the pot and have the advantage of watching all of the betting action (except for the blinds) BEFORE you are required to make a decision on how you want to play your hand -or- IF you want to play your hand. It also effects the VALUE of your hand, for instance, let's say you are on the button and you have pocket eights. Before the action gets to you, there is a raise, a re-raise and an all-in. Depending on how well you know the players at the table, it probably becomes an easy lay down. From the button in an un-raised pot, you may want to raise the pot yourself with 5/6 suited. Just like in real estate, its LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.

So where you sit relative to the button is very important..... also important is the seat at the table that you choose relative to the loose/aggressive players. This is not quite as clear.... While most seasoned players will tell you that they want that maniac to their right so that they don't commit any chips to the pot until after "he" acts.... there is also some support for the school of thought that you want him on your left so that you don't become the victim of someone else setting a trap for the maniac.... Now if you are unfortunate enough to be seated between two loose/aggressive players, I would recommend developing explosive diarrhea and excusing yourself from the game.

I definitely see the value of having some space between you and Mr. Aggressive so that when he raises the pot there are some callers between you and him so that you can re-raise big and perhaps pickup the dead money that called his raise but will go away when you raise.... or let's hope anyway. Because even pocket rockets are vulnerable to an entire table of callers.

So once again..... LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!