Poker Poker Elements

Part3: element of Texas Hold'em poker: position

 

In the previous article "Elements of Texas Hold'em Poker 2: Stack size", I introduced the concept of stack size in No Limit Texas Hold'em cash games, the reasons why stack size affects strategy, and the best strategies for five different stack size. This issue introduces another element: position. This article answers three questions: why position matters, how position affects starting hand selection, and how to determine the best position at the table.

 

Everyone has heard it said that position is crucial. Some people say that both real estate and No Limit Hold'em Poker have the same three main points: location, location, location! However, why does location matter? How important is location?

 

In the game of blackjack, players act first and the dealer (casino) acts later.

 

It can be said that the casino always has a position for the players. Although players can formulate strategies at will, the dealer does not know how the players will play a hand; on the contrary, the dealer's strategy is open, fixed, and even rigid: cards are required below 16 points, and cards are suspended above 17 points.

 

However, the player can never beat the dealer (not counting cards). The most essential reason is that if the player acts first, he will bear the risk (explode), while the dealer has the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the results (watching the player explode without having to act again).

 

In poker, the person who acts first is always at risk of making a mistake, while the person who acts later has no chance of making a mistake in many cases. In other words, having a position ensures that you have less chance of making a mistake.

 

Let’s look at an example: before the flop, fold to the button, the button raises with 5h 6h, the small blind folds, and the big blind calls. The flop is Qs 7h 4c , and the button has a straight hand. The big blind took the lead and the button called. The turn card is Ad , the big blind continues to bet, and Button calls.

 

The river card is a 2s and the big blind goes all-in. At this time, the big blind's playing style fundamentally eliminates the opportunity for the button to make mistakes, and the button can only make the right choice: fold. On the contrary, if the river card is 3 and Button is given a nut straight, no matter whether the big blind goes all-in, checks or bets small, Button will not make a mistake, because he must follow all-in/bet/ Raise

 

Only when Button misses his straight draw and the big blind checks (or makes a small bet but does not go all in), Button may make a mistake at this time, because he faces a choice: give up or bluff? Note that the possibility of making a mistake does not mean that a mistake will definitely be made. Button can still make the decision that is most beneficial to him based on his reading of the opponent.

 

If you don't have a position, you're on a side where you can make mistakes anyway. Assume that the big blind is still heads-up with Button.

 

When the big blind has nuts or a super big hand, if he bets heavily/all-in, he has to worry about Button not folding any cards; if he checks, he has to worry about Button having a medium hand. The strength of the cards is as good as the donkey's check.

 

If the big blind misses a draw, and his hand is not strong enough to win the show, he will have to consider whether to bluff.

 

Likewise, whether he bluffs or not, he may still make a mistake.

 

Suppose you are a beginner who has just started playing poker for a month or two, and you play a hand with a world champion.

 

Your level is definitely not as good as his, but fortunately, you have a position. Your position will help you a lot. If on the river you only have a 25% chance of making a mistake and he has a 50% chance of making a mistake, then you should be confident enough to deal with him.

 

The characteristic of no-limit poker is that the last bet can be the size of the pot, or even slightly larger than the pot, which shows that the advantage of position is considerable.

 

Of course, your positional advantage requires the depth of your chips. After the river card comes out, when the effective chips are committed or close to being committed, people in position are often "forced" not to make mistakes, because there is often no raise bluff at this time.

 

The "last shot" advantage of position: In the last round of betting, especially when you are pot commited or close to being pot commited, those in position are often "forced" not to make mistakes.

 

Not only the last shot, but also the position before a hand has a great advantage. This advantage comes from the collection and effective use of your opponent's information.