If you could only learn one poker concept, it should be this one: position. The same cards can be a profitable open from the button and a mistake from first position. In this guide you’ll learn the names of the poker table positions, the order in which each player acts and why position decides which hands you can play.
What is position in poker?
Position is your seat at the table relative to the dealer button, a disc that moves one seat to the left every hand. Because the button rotates, every player goes through every position, but in each hand your position determines when you act and how much information you have when you decide.
Positions are grouped into:
- Early position: you act among the first, without knowing what the others will do.
- Middle position: some players have already acted.
- Late position: you act among the last, with plenty of information.
- The blinds: they’ve already posted forced bets, but they play the hand out of position.
Positions at a 6-player table (6-max)
This is the most common format online. Starting with the player to the left of the big blind:
| Position | Full name | Type | Players behind preflop |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTG / LJ | Under the Gun / Lojack | Early | 5 |
| HJ | Hijack | Middle | 4 |
| CO | Cutoff | Late | 3 |
| BTN | Button | Late | 2 |
| SB | Small blind | Blind | 1 |
| BB | Big blind | Blind | 0 |
“Under the gun” refers to being first to act before the flop: it’s the seat under the most pressure.
Full-ring positions (9 players)
At 8, 9 or 10-handed tables (common in tournaments and live poker), extra early positions are added before the lojack:
| Position | Type |
|---|---|
| UTG | Early |
| UTG+1 | Early |
| UTG+2 (MP) | Middle |
| LJ (lojack) | Middle |
| HJ (hijack) | Middle-late |
| CO (cutoff) | Late |
| BTN (button) | Late |
| SB | Blind |
| BB | Blind |
The last four positions before the blinds (LJ, HJ, CO and BTN) play the same as in 6-max when the players in front fold. That’s why many players study 6-max first and then add the full-ring early positions, with even tighter ranges.
Order of action before and after the flop
This trips up a lot of beginners because the order changes:
- Before the flop: UTG acts first and the big blind acts last, because it has already posted its bet.
- After the flop (and on the turn and river): the first active player to the left of the button acts first, usually the small blind, and the button acts last.
The consequence
The blinds act last preflop but first for the rest of the hand. The button, on the other hand, acts last on every postflop street. That’s why it’s the best seat at the table.
Why playing in position is an advantage
Playing in position (IP) means acting after your opponent on the postflop streets. Playing out of position (OOP) means acting before them. The difference is huge:
- Information: you see what your opponent does before you decide. If they check, they probably don’t have a very strong hand.
- Pot control: you can check behind to see a free card or bet to build the pot, whichever suits you.
- Cheaper, more effective bluffs: an opponent who checks gives you a chance to take the pot.
- You realize more equity: a medium-strength hand in position reaches showdown more often and wins more.
That’s why a hand like K9o can be profitable from the button and a loser from UTG: on the button you’ll be in position and against fewer opponents.
Create one chart per position in Burn EV and drill them with the hand quiz: every question tells you which seat you’re in.
How your range changes with position
The rule is simple: the later you act, the more hands you can play. In 6-max cash at 100bb, a sample opening range goes from around 17% from UTG to over 40% from the button. Compare these two charts:
Sample range · UTG open · 6-max 100bb · 17.6%
Raise: 22+, A2s+, K9s+, Q9s+, J9s+, T8s+, 98s, 87s, 76s, 65s, AJo+, KQo.
Sample range · BTN open · 6-max 100bb · 42.1%
Raise: 22+, A2s+, K2s+, Q4s+, J6s+, T6s+, 96s+, 85s+, 75s+, 64s+, 54s, A2o+, K8o+, Q9o+, J9o+, T9o.
You’ll find each position in detail in preflop opening ranges by position, and big blind defense in how to defend your big blind.
Common mistake
Playing the same hands from every seat. It’s the most expensive position mistake: opening KJo or A9o from UTG as happily as from the button.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best position in poker?
The button (BTN). It acts last on every street after the flop, so it’s always in position against whoever calls.
What does UTG mean in poker?
Under the Gun: the first player to act before the flop, sitting to the left of the big blind. It’s the position from which you play the fewest hands.
What does playing in position mean?
Acting after your opponent on the streets after the flop. It gives you information and control of the pot.
Why does the big blind act last before the flop?
Because it has already posted a forced bet, and the other players have to call, raise or fold before it decides.
Read next: how to read a poker range chart.