Poker Strategies – Table Position
One of the most basic strategic concepts in poker is table position.
In Texas Hold’em, the dealer button is the centre of the game’s action. The position of the dealer button determines who places the small blind, who places the big blind, and the order of play for everyone at the table.
Immediately to the left of the dealer is the small blind. This player starts the betting and is the first to act in every subsequent round prior to the flop. To the left of the small blind is the big blind. Once everyone at the table has either placed a bet or folded the hand, the big blind can raise the blind pre-flop if no other player has done so.
The player in the dealer position has a powerful advantage over his opponents. Because the dealer is always the last to act in any round of betting, he has the ability to see what every other player has done before making a decision. The dealer not only has the opportunity to read his opponents, but he also gets to make betting decisions before contributing any money to the pot. This is essentially the equivalent of knowing the price tomorrow of a stock you have purchased today.
In most Texas Hold’em poker games, the dealer chip rotates around the table after each hand. Whenever you find yourself in this advantageous position, be sure to use it wisely. Watch your opponents carefully, consider their betting action seriously, and use the information to play the hand in your favour.