Early Position

Early position in poker refers to being one of the first players to act in a round of betting. This term is typically used in games that use a dealer button, such as Texas Hold'em and Omaha.

Understanding Early Position

In poker, the early position refers to the seats immediately to the left of the big blind. Players in early position are the first to act in the first round of betting and are said to be "under the gun." This position is considered challenging because the player has to make a decision with little information about the other players' hands.

Impact of Early Position on Game Strategy

Being in an early position can significantly impact a player's strategy. Since players in early position act first, they have to be cautious about which hands they play. Typically, players in early position should play a tighter range of hands compared to those in middle or late position. This is because there are still many players left to act, increasing the likelihood of facing a raise or a re-raise.

Example of "Early Position"

Let's say you're playing a game of Texas Hold'em and you're sitting immediately to the left of the big blind. You're dealt a hand of 7-2 offsuit, which is generally considered a weak hand. Because you're in early position, and there are many players left to act after you, it would be wise to fold this hand.

• "Being in early position, John decided to fold his marginal hand."
• "With a strong hand in early position, Mary decided to raise."
• "Tom knew that being in early position required a more cautious strategy."