Those who play poker online in India understand that the game contains various specific elements that demand attention to achieve long term success. Focusing on one element and ignoring the rest might cost you heavily.
Having said that, position is a central element in online poker games that is most important yet frequently overlooked by most players in the game. Being in position allows you to access free and nearly accurate information on your opponents that in turn allows you to act decisively.
In this blog, we are going to discuss the many roles of position in online poker games and also ways how to improve your strategy accordingly.
Different Positions in Online Poker Games
Let’s start with the basics to help out those who are brand new to playing poker online. In online poker games, you are assigned different positions on the table. These positions are assigned clockwise starting from the Dealer who sits on the Button. Here, we will consider an 8-player table.
- In all online poker games, the players on the immediate left of the Dealer are the Small Blind (SB) and the Big Blind (BB)
- Next to the BB, are the Middle Positions that may include the next couple or more seats depending on the number of players on the table
- The remaining three seats on the table are called the Late Positions leading back to the Button. It starts with the Button, Cut-off position (the seat right to the Button) and the Hijack (seat right to the Cut-off.
What Does it Mean to Play in Position?
In online poker games, playing in position means sitting on the most advantageous position in the current hand (since your position changes clockwise after every hand). For example, sitting on either of the Blinds are the worst positions when you play poker online. This is because they are the starting positions where you have nil information on all your opponents and you are acting first by default. Plus, you got to pay the blinds, so you are already invested in the pot.
Then comes the middle position in poker. This is a very tricky position where you gain only half the information you need from your opponents as a couple of players have acted before you while the rest are yet to act. So, if you are planning to semi bluff on your possible draws, this isn’t a very good position.
Late Position
When playing poker online, this is the position where you get to take control of the pot for real. Any by late positions, we mean the cut-off and the Button. Hijack isn’t a great position to be either. The only fool-proof positions in skill based game like online poker where you can act with supreme confidence is the Cut-off and the Button. Here, you have already witnessed the strengths and weaknesses of your opponents by their betting patterns, so in case you see any weak spot, raise with confidence!
Some Perks of Playing in Position
You Get Accurate Information
Since everyone has acted before you, you are not in a blind position where you do not know what to do. You can carefully read everyone’s betting behaviour and decide to act accordingly. You neither have to play in fear nor in worry that someone else will beat you to it, that is, only if you size your bets correctly. You have to apply just the right amount of pressure so that the limpers call while the stronger lot folds.
Take Pot Control
When all players before you have acted, you are the last one to act. Hence, you can pilot the ship based on the action of the last player. If you want to play small, simply call and close the action. On the contrary, you can raise and pressure the others to fold.
You May Bluff
Every player in online poker games bluffs whenever they find a weak spot or a clear opening. Playing in position gives you the opening you need to improve your odds by semi-bluffing when you play poker online. If you size your bets correctly in position, you can make even the pros bow down to the pressure, especially those who like to keep things tight.
So, enough tips for today, let’s get you to the tables to play some poker online and amplify your got lying around.
This week, we say you hit the tables of India’s Most Trusted Poker Website, PokerBaazi for a highly amazing run. The online poker site has just released its most lucrative online poker series that’s targeted at those who wish to create a desirable bankroll for buy-ins that are super easy on the pocket.
Introducing PokerBaazi’s Bankroll Builder Series 6LAC+ GTD (PBBS)
PokerBaazi’s brand new edition of PBBS has rolled out and is live till 29th November. It’s a multi-day multi-event extravaganza where newcomers can play scores of micro stakes online poker tournaments and win incredible prize money.
Here’s what you can take home from PBBS
- 29+ events featuring a collective prize pool of 6LAC+
- Play Micro stakes tournaments for buy-ins as low as INR 15
- Play the Multi-flight Main Event 2LAC GTD for just INR 200
- Play the HighRoller 1LAC GTD for just INR 500
- Enjoy new game formats like Win the Button & Progressive Knockout
- Win additional Leaderboard prizes worth over 55000
So, pick your flavors right and join the action for buy-ins that cost you almost nothing and start boosting your bankroll today. All the best!
