OK so you've chosen your stakes and found a loose-aggressive table. Once you have found your perfect game, the secret of winning on line poker is to only play solid hands from the right position at the table. I'm sure you've heard of position before, but you may not be sure of exactly what it means. Position refers to where you are sitting with respect to the dealer's button. After each hand is played, the button moves in a clockwise rotation so you need to adjust your game based on your position.
The three types of online poker positions are known as early, middle or late. Early means you are one of the first players to act. The first player to act is also known as "under the gun" or UTG. This is not desirable as you don't have the advantage of seeing what they other players do before making your decision. Because of this, you should be more cautious and play tighter when you are in early position.
In middle position you have players acting before and after you. Middle position affords you the advantage of seeing how others have acted, however you have to keep in mind that you still have players making their move after you. Keep your opponents guessing by playing a few hands from middle position. To some you will be overly cautious, but to others you will appear overly aggressive.
Late position means that you are the last to act. Late position is ideal because you have the most information available to you before making your decision, namely how the other players have acted. Late position also allows you to play more drawing hands.
Not sure how to manage your position? The general rule of thumb is that the earlier your position, the stronger your cards need to be.
| |
