What is Position:
The thing that most commonly confuses new or first time poker players is position. This often talked about term refers in its most simple definition to where you sit at the table. However, position goes much deeper. As most experienced players know, position is important because it indicates when you act. Later positions are generally better, because you have more information than players in the earlier positions. You can then use this information to better decide what the appropriate course of action is and to hopefully win the game. Unfortunately, however, you will not always be in the prime positions. For this reason, you must take the time to learn how to play every position, even the more difficult ones well.
Winning in Any Position:
The best way to learn how to play each position is, quite simply, to play them. Fortunately, many free sites allow players to select which position they would like to be in. This can be a great tool for learning how to master each position. Play each position as many times as you need to. After all, it's free. Be sure to take note of strategies you use that were effective in a particular position and also of ineffective strategies. This will help you to learn what works in what positions and what does not and will improve your game play greatly.
In addition to practicing regularly, you should also do your research. There are a ton of online strategy guides which discuss the most appropriate strategies for particular positions. You should study these and take the time to memorize which strategies work with which positions. This way, you'll have a plan of action no matter what seat you find yourself in.
Most importantly, however, always remain calm and level headed as you play. If you are thrown into a position that you are not familiar with or that you have a lot of trouble with, don't panic. Play as slowly and as carefully as possible and try to remember the things you have learned. If you lose, ask yourself what you did wrong or what you could have done better. Recognizing what your errors were and why, exactly, you made them will help you to improve next time. If you win, you should also, after congratulating yourself, think about what you did well so that you can repeat these actions. The same is true in a position where you feel strong and secure. Being overly confident can cause you to pay less attention to game play and make stupid mistakes that can end up costing you big. So, even when you find yourself in a position where you think you can't lose, know that you can and play just as determinedly as you would in a more difficult position.
If you are willing to try the tips presented here and to dedicate yourself to improving and learning the ins and outs of each position, you will find that you quickly become a much stronger player.
The thing that most commonly confuses new or first time poker players is position. This often talked about term refers in its most simple definition to where you sit at the table. However, position goes much deeper. As most experienced players know, position is important because it indicates when you act. Later positions are generally better, because you have more information than players in the earlier positions. You can then use this information to better decide what the appropriate course of action is and to hopefully win the game. Unfortunately, however, you will not always be in the prime positions. For this reason, you must take the time to learn how to play every position, even the more difficult ones well.
Winning in Any Position:
The best way to learn how to play each position is, quite simply, to play them. Fortunately, many free sites allow players to select which position they would like to be in. This can be a great tool for learning how to master each position. Play each position as many times as you need to. After all, it's free. Be sure to take note of strategies you use that were effective in a particular position and also of ineffective strategies. This will help you to learn what works in what positions and what does not and will improve your game play greatly.
In addition to practicing regularly, you should also do your research. There are a ton of online strategy guides which discuss the most appropriate strategies for particular positions. You should study these and take the time to memorize which strategies work with which positions. This way, you'll have a plan of action no matter what seat you find yourself in.
Most importantly, however, always remain calm and level headed as you play. If you are thrown into a position that you are not familiar with or that you have a lot of trouble with, don't panic. Play as slowly and as carefully as possible and try to remember the things you have learned. If you lose, ask yourself what you did wrong or what you could have done better. Recognizing what your errors were and why, exactly, you made them will help you to improve next time. If you win, you should also, after congratulating yourself, think about what you did well so that you can repeat these actions. The same is true in a position where you feel strong and secure. Being overly confident can cause you to pay less attention to game play and make stupid mistakes that can end up costing you big. So, even when you find yourself in a position where you think you can't lose, know that you can and play just as determinedly as you would in a more difficult position.
If you are willing to try the tips presented here and to dedicate yourself to improving and learning the ins and outs of each position, you will find that you quickly become a much stronger player.
