Position
Why acting last is worth money.
- 01, open this step in the interactive version
Where you sit decides when you act. The button moves one seat left after every hand, so everyone takes a turn.
- 02, open this step in the interactive version
Before the flop, who acts first?
show answer
answerUTG
whyThe blinds have already put money in, so the player to their left starts. UTG is short for under the gun.
- 03, open this step in the interactive version
Where you sit matters. After the flop, the button acts last, so it sees what everyone else does first.
- 04, open this step in the interactive version
Same cards. Which would you rather be?
show answer
answerLast to act
whyActing last means deciding with more information. That’s why the button is the best seat.
- 05, open this step in the interactive version
You’re on the button. Only the big blind is left with you. Who acts first on the flop, turn and river?
show answer
answerThey do
whyThey sit left of the button, so they act before you on every street after the flop. You always see their move first.
- 06, open this step in the interactive versionRangeAA, KK, QQ, JJ, TT, 99, 88, 77, AKs, AQs, AJs, ATs, KQs, KJs, QJs, JTs, AKo, AQo, AJo, KQo
So play fewer hands from early seats. This is a typical range for the first seat to raise with.
- 07, open this step in the interactive versionRangeAA, KK, QQ, JJ, TT, 99, 88, 77, AKs, AQs, AJs, ATs, KQs, KJs, QJs, JTs, AKo, AQo, AJo, KQo, 66, 55, 44, 33, 22, A9s, A8s, A7s, A6s, A5s, A4s, A3s, A2s, KTs, K9s, QTs, Q9s, J9s, T9s, 98s, 87s, 76s, 65s, ATo, A9o, KJo, KTo, QJo, QTo, JTo
And more from the button: two and a half times as many hands. Why can the button play so many more?
show answer
answerFewer players are left to act
whyFrom the button only the two blinds can still wake up with a big hand, and you’ll act last for the rest of the hand.
- 08, open this step in the interactive version
Acting last is called being in position. Play tighter in early seats, wider in late ones: position is an edge you get every orbit.