Lesson 4
Position
Where you sit at the table matters more than your cards. Learn the six positions and why "position is power."
In poker, "position" means where you act in the betting order. Players who act later have a huge advantage — they see what others do before deciding, so they make better choices with less information loss.
The six positions (6-max table)
- UTG (Under the Gun) — first to act preflop, the toughest position
- MP (Middle Position) — second to act, slightly easier
- CO (Cutoff) — one seat before the button, strong position
- BTN (Button) — last to act on every street except preflop, the best seat
- SB (Small Blind) — posts the small blind, acts first post-flop
- BB (Big Blind) — posts the big blind, acts last preflop, second post-flop
Why position matters
Acting later means more information. You see everyone’s bets, hesitations, and patterns before deciding. This advantage is so significant that one of the oldest rules in poker is: play tight from UTG, loose from the button.
Tip
A common saying: "Play position, not just cards." A mediocre hand on the button is often more profitable than a decent hand from UTG.