Raising Poker Tips
A Guide to Online Poker Position
Online poker, like live poker, plays in a unique way, depending on your position. If you have understand this face, then much of what you do during the game will hinge on the position you are in, and who has the button. It will also dictate what choices the other online poker players will make within the game. The button moves consistently through out every game, where it sits identifies your position. You need to know how to play a hand in the best manner possible, at the right time to maximize your online success. Your online poker strategy should be dictated by the each of the following 3 positions; early, middle and late.
When you are in the earliest position you are unable to see what the other online poker players will chose to play their hands. This weakened position means you should play your hand with great caution, and typically fairly tight. Being aggressive in this position may indicate a strong hand, however it may also indicate a bluff, and because the other players are able to identify your actions first, it leaves you unable to make the best choice based on everyone else’s action.
The middle position gives you neither a significant advantage, nor a significant disadvantage. You will have had the opportunity to see what some people have chosen to do, as well as come before others. This gives you some element of surprise, as it will be more difficult for the other players to know for certain if you’re playing tight or loose, aggressive or cautious. This can be played well, and simply by constantly taking mental notes of the actions around you.
Obviously the most preferred position is late in the round. This facilitates the ability to pay attention to everything the other online poker players have chosen to do. In online poker, information is king, the more you have the better you will know how to play your hand. No one will be able to predict your actions for you, and you will be able to weigh all of your options based on the action around the felt.
To guide your choices, if you are sitting early in the round, at or near the button, make sure you only play the strongest hands. If you are sitting late in the round you will have the best chance to compete with more drawing hands. (fold early, bluff late)
Playing late also gives the online poker player a distinct advantage. If you are playing early, and you draw a pocket Q-Q, it’s a strong hand, but still beatable. If another player chooses to raise, you will be more tempted to fold, instead of play it. The opposite concern is true as well. If you have a monster hand, such as A-A and place a bet as the first move, you may scare the other players out of the hand, and this means no pot increase. Should you hold the same hands late, you will be able to better estimate the best amount to assure people will call you, instead of fold.
Keeping this as a guide for your play, and you will change your choices every hand. This creates in you a stronger play, and more consistent wins.
About the Author
Jack Boulin is author of this article on quick bucks from freerolls. Find more information about online poker strategieshere.
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by: Jack Boulin
Date: Apr 3rd 2008 | Words: 549 | Viewed: 12 times | Rating: Not yet rated
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