Playing position is a very important
concept in poker -
especially in No Limit Texas Hold'em.
Players who are first to act are in "early
position" or "EP"
in short; players who act next are in "mid position"
(MP) and the players who act
last are in "late position" (LP).
The players who are to act last have a large advantage over the other
players. They have more information to make their decision than players who are
first to act. Also, when players who have to act earlier preflop fold their hands, chances of having the best hand will go up.
This means more hands can be played from late position than in early position.
You should always keep in mind in which position you are before playing a hand.
Suppose you are in early position and you are dealt 78 offsuit and just call the big
blind. Your hand, 78 offsuit, is perfect for a cheap flop but to your suprise someone raises
behind you and another person reraises. When you are raised and reraised you are
forced to fold your hand and lose your investment in the pot. Therefore, it is recommended to play
tight in early position and to play more hands
in late position.
In late position on the flop you have the option to close the betting round
if everyone checks to you. You can also try to take the pot down and bluff since it is likely everyone missed the flop. Being in late position gives you
the opportunity to make the best decision.
Example
You are sitting in the big blind with Jack Nine of spades and
someone in late position raises. He has Nine Seven offsuit. You have him dominated
but you don't know that because you can't see his cards.
The flop comes Ten, Eight, King with two spades. This is the flop you were
looking for. You have a flushdraw and a open-ended straightdraw. You decide to bet the pot. Your opponent calls with his open-ended straight
draw.
The turn is an Ace, no spade. You are still the favourite in the hand and
you decide to semi-bluff again and bet the pot once more. You opponent calls again, which makes you
think he has a fairly good hand.
The river is another Ace, no spade. You did not make your flush and missed
your straightdraw. You decide to check.
Your opponent
decides to make an attempt to steal the pot. He bets nearly three quarters of the
pot which is a substantial amount in Texas Holdem.
All you can do now is to fold your Jack High all because of your positional disadvantage.
