Everything Poker

Most players carefully consider their position when making decisions. In Texas Hold-em, whether you are first to act, last, or somewhere in-between has a huge impact on strategy. And the advantage of acting last at the poker table is why the dealer button changes players with every hand, giving every player that advantage.

So on the surface, there seems to be no real benefit to be at the end of a table, next to the dealer, or to be in the middle. However, there are several ways that your seat at the table can be an advantage or a disadvantage to your play.

The players, particularly the two players to your immediate left, should have a significant impact on your play. If you have a ‘loose cannon’ in the seat to your left, one who often raises, then your play has to be modified to reflect that issue. In a poker tournament, the chips you save or gain by playing correctly can be the difference between winning and losing.

Consider this situation: you have just flopped top two pair or trips, and you are looking to maximize the pot. If you raise right away, your buddy to your left might raise for you. That gets more poker chips into the pot without giving away your hand, or risking your entire clay chip set.

Now imagine a different scene: you had medium suited connectors, and have flopped a flush. You may want to limit the field, preventing anyone from drawing free cards. You can put your buddy to work here, too, by raising, and having him double the raise. Now, if any other players want to see the turn and river, they will have to cough up more of their casino chips.

Although you can use the player to your left to some advantage, it also has its disadvantages. You have to consider your starting hands with a crazy player to your left. Playing marginal hands becomes much more difficult, as you never know when they are going to raise, and it will take more clay chips to see the flop. This can be a real source of chip bleeding in holdem tournaments.

After understanding ways that the play of the player to your left is important, you can see the ideal player to have sitting there: someone whose poker play is predictable and consistent. Whether they are a consistent Texas Holdem poker chip machine, a calling station, or just folding hand after hand, knowing what comes next is the important factor.

For advanced players, you can take this advice one step further: consider the player on your right, and how your play is helping them or hurting them. Modifying your play to your advantage, trying to minimize your opponent’s gains can gain a few extra chips every hand, or a lot of Las Vegas chips during a career.