Why is the Button considered the best position at a poker table?

The Button acts absolute last on every single post-flop betting round (Flop, Turn, and River). This means you see every opponent's move before making your own decision, giving you total information leverage and pot control.

What is Under the Gun (UTG)?

Under the Gun is the seat positioned immediately to the left of the Big Blind. Because UTG must act first before the flop with the entire table yet to speak, it is the most dangerous position and demands the tightest starting hand standards.

The Cutoff (CO) is the seat directly to the right of the button. It is the second-best position at the table and an ideal spot to steal blinds and re-raise weaker opening bets.

How should my starting hand selection change based on table position?

Play tight in early position (only premium pairs like AA-TT and AK-AQ), gradually open up in middle position to include suited broadways and lower pairs, and play aggressively loose in late position (Button/Cutoff) with suited connectors, suited Aces, and speculative hands.

Poker Position Explained: Table Positions & Win Rate Strategy

In poker, cards are only half the battle—position is the other half. Acting after your opponents grants complete informational dominance: you see whether they check, bet, or hesitate before making your own move.

The 9-Handed Texas Hold'em Table Order

Play rotates clockwise. The closer you are to the Button (D), the more profitable your seat becomes.

Breakdown of Each Seat at the Table

Under the Gun (UTG)

Tightest

Early Position

First to act preflop. Must navigate the entire table. Only open premium pairs and AK/AQ.

Middle Position (MP / Lojack)

Moderate

Middle Position

Can add middle pairs (99-77), broadways (KQs, QJs), and AJ to your opening range.

Hijack (HJ)

Steal Threat

Late Position

Acts right before the cutoff. Start expanding into suited connectors (98s, 87s) and suited Aces.

Cutoff (CO)

High Power

Late Position

Second-best position at the table. Widen opening range significantly to steal the blinds.

Button (BTN)

Best Seat

The Nuts Position

The holy grail of poker seats. Acts last on every single street postflop. Open 40–50% of cards.

Small Blind (SB)

Disadvantage

The Blinds

Acts second-to-last preflop, but first on every postflop street. Play cautiously out of position.

Big Blind (BB)

Closing Action

The Blinds

Closes the preflop action. Already has 1 big blind invested, granting great pot odds to defend.

The 3 Unfair Advantages of Position

1. Perfect Information You never have to guess. You see whether opponents checked weakness or fired aggression before committing a single chip.

2. Total Pot Control If you want a cheap showdown with a marginal hand, you can check behind. If you have a monster, you can size the bet exactly as you desire.

3. Maximum Bluff Leverage When out-of-position players check twice to the button on river runouts, you can profitably take down pots with zero showdown value.

Poker Table Position Explained: The Power of Acting Last

The 9-Handed Texas Hold'em Table Order

Breakdown of Each Seat at the Table

Under the Gun (UTG)

Middle Position (MP / Lojack)

Hijack (HJ)

Cutoff (CO)

Button (BTN)

Small Blind (SB)

Big Blind (BB)

The 3 Unfair Advantages of Position

Ready to Test Your Knowledge?

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Poker Guides

Poker Hand Rankings (Official Guide)

Poker Hands in Order (Cheat Sheet)

Texas Hold'em Official Rules