Use this chart to guide you by providing you with a list of hands to play dependent on where you are sitting.
Here is a list of nickname of seating positions at a Poker Table:
SB – Small Blind
BB – Big Blind
UTG – Under the gun, is the first person to act in the first round after the BB
EP – Early position
MP – Middle position
H – Hijack, the player seated 1 place ahead of the Dealer
CO – Cut off is the seat before the Dealer
styling
| Cards (1st two columns) | Position (3rd to 6th columns) | Cut Off* & Dealer | Hijack* | Middle Position | Early Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | A | Re-raise | Raise | Raise | Raise |
| A | K | Re-raise | Raise | Raise | Raise |
| A | Q | Re-raise | Raise | Raise | Raise |
| A | J | Play with caution | Play with caution | Play with caution | Fold |
| A | 10 | Play with caution | Play if suited | Play if suited | Fold |
| A9 | to A2 | Play if suited | Fold | Fold | Fold |
| K | K | Re-raise | Raise | Raise | Raise |
| K | Q | Re-raise | Play with caution | Play with caution | Fold |
| K | J | Play with caution | Play if suited | Play if suited | Fold |
| K | 10 | Play with caution | Fold | Fold | Fold |
| K | 9 | Play with caution | Fold | Fold | Fold |
| Q | Q | Re-raise | Raise | Raise | Raise |
| Q | J | Play with caution | Play if suited | Play if suited | Fold |
| Q | 10 | Play with caution | Fold | Fold | Fold |
| Q | 9 | Play with caution | Fold | Fold | Fold |
| 10 | 10 | Re-raise | Raise | Play with caution | Play with caution |
| 10 | 9 | Play if suited | Play if suited | Play if suited | Fold |
| 9 9 | to 7 7 | Play with caution | Play with caution | Play with caution | Fold |
| 6 6 | to 2 2 | Play with caution | Play with caution | Fold | Fold |
| 8 9 | to 2 3 | Play if suited | Fold | Fold | Fold |
The basic idea is to play:
- Strong hands in early position
- Good hands in middle position
- Play a wider hand range in late position, as this is the best position.
- Also remember that unlike calling, raising has an extra way to win: opponents may fold. An opening bet may be considered a raise from a strategy perspective.
- Aggressive play refers to betting and raising. Aggressive play is generally considered stronger than passive play because of the bluff value of bets and raises and because it offers more opportunities for your opponents to make mistakes
- Passive play refers to checking and calling. Unless passive play is being used deceptively then it is not advisable to play this way.
