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HOW POSITION AFFECTS PLAY
To show how differently you
have to play in first and last positions, let's say I'm
dealt in no-limit hold 'em (where position remains fixed
throughout the hand). If the opponent on my left raised
a moderate amount and got three calls, It would also call
as long as most of the players had a decent amount of money
in front of them. Were It to flop three 6s (the odds against
it are about 8-to-1). It'd anticipate winning a big pot.
However, were the player on my right to raise the same amount.
It'd have to fold my pair of 6s even if It thought there
would be some calls but no raises behind me.
In bad position is what makes the difference. It changes
things enough on future rounds to turn a call into a fold.
If were to flop three 6s in last position, that 6 on board
would look pretty innocuous. The original bettor would probably
bet again, maybe get called, and then put in a big raise
or perhaps slowplay and wait to raise on fourth street.
However, if the bettor were to my right, It couldn't immediately
raise with three 6s and hope to be called by players behind
me whether on the flop or on fourth street. Thus, when directly
behind the bettor, implied odds are reduced so much that
it's not worth calling that bettor's first raise before
the flop.
POSITION VIS-A-VIS OTHER PLAYERS
IN THE GAMES
Position is important in relation
to the playing style of the other players in the games.
You prefer having the loose, aggressive player in the games
sitting to your right and the tight, conservative player
to your left. Then you can usually decide how to play your
hand after the aggressive player has acted, while you don't
have to worry about many surprises from the conservative
player behind you. You are also in a better position to
control the aggressive player and indeed to trap him into
mistakes. Similarly, if there are players in the games who
tip off whether or not they are playing a hand, you'd like
them to your left so you can use that information when deciding
whether to call the first bet yourself.
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The
Pace of Play and Position |
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