11:23
Greg
Position in a hand of poker is one of the most important concepts to understanding the game. Playing tight with a limited number of hands in early positions stops bad plays and the depletion of your chip stack. Playing from a weak position will only get worse as the betting rounds progress and you find yourself putting more chips into the pot that you are destined to lose. Playing from positions closer to the button allows you to see your opponent’s plays and gain insight before committing your chips to the game therefore increasing your chance of making the right play and claiming the pot.
There are many strategies and tactics that different poker players employ in an attempt to become the best and while it is true that there is no winning formula to becoming a great poker player, speak to any pro and they will agree that hand position is key. A player needs to understand that the strength of their cards varies depending on their position within a hand of poker, and while this is only one concept to consider when playing it remains a vital one.
Below is a basic grid and guide of preflop hands that provide tight play in early hand positions and more variety as a player gets closer to the button. This is a good starting guide for players wanting to learn the game who don’t wish to declare bankruptcy from ambitious play. Every player goes on to develop their own style of play and cards they like to play with, however these hands are proven to provide a relative balance of risk versus reward depending on how the game plays out.
The table shows the relatively few hands that should be played from an early position with additional hands being added as a player moves closer to the button. So consider your position when making your next move on the poker table because if you don’t I am pretty sure that someone else will be!
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