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Poker Positions — Printable Reference
riverodds.app · 9-handed table · Worst to best
| Abbr | Name | Action Order | Open % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UTG | Under the Gun | Acts FIRST preflop | 13-15% | Tightest range. Premium pairs, AK/AQ, suited broadway. |
| UTG+1 | Under the Gun + 1 | Second preflop | 14-16% | Slightly wider than UTG. Same general profile. |
| MP | Middle Position | Third preflop | 15-18% | Tight-aggressive. Add 99-88, KQs, AJs. |
| HJ | Hijack | Fourth preflop | 17-19% | Becoming late position. Add suited broadway, mid pairs. |
| CO | Cutoff | Fifth preflop | 25-30% | Late position begins. Suited connectors, weak aces. |
| BTN | Button | Last to act preflop AND postflop | 45-50% | Best position. Open very wide; any pocket pair, suited cards. |
| SB | Small Blind | First postflop, before BB preflop | 3-bet or fold (15-20% 3-bet) | Worst position. Flat-calling is generally a leak. |
| BB | Big Blind | Last preflop, first postflop | Defends 50-60% vs BTN | Closes preflop action. Defend wide with pot odds; play tight postflop OOP. |
BTN is best: acts last postflop → maximum information. UTG is worst: acts first → minimum info. Position is worth ~8 bb/100 between BTN and UTG.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the poker positions in order?
Clockwise from the dealer button: SB (small blind), BB (big blind), UTG (under the gun), UTG+1, MP (middle position), HJ (hijack), CO (cutoff), BTN (button). Preflop: action starts with UTG (first to act). Postflop: action starts with SB (first), BB second, etc. BTN acts last postflop — the most profitable position.
What is the best position in poker?
The Button (BTN) is universally the best position. You act last on every postflop street, giving you maximum information before deciding. BTN players can profitably open 45-50% of hands vs UTG's 13-15% — a 3× wider range. Position is worth approximately 8 bb/100 across most player populations.
What is UTG in poker?
UTG (Under the Gun) is the player immediately left of the big blind — the first to act preflop. Worst preflop position; must commit chips before any other player. UTG players should play tight (13-15% opening range) consisting of premium pairs, AKs, AKo, AQs, AJs, KQs.
Why does position matter in poker?
Position determines information access. Acting last lets you see what all opponents do before deciding. This is a permanent, structural advantage every hand. In-position players realize 85-100% of their equity; out-of-position players realize 60-85%. Across thousands of hands, this 15-25% equity gap compounds into significant win-rate difference (~8 bb/100).
Should I play differently in each position?
Yes — dramatically. Same hand has different value from different positions. AJo is an open from BTN (top 50%) but a fold from UTG (top 13%). The exact same cards, different position, different decision. Use position-based opening charts as your foundation — they encode the equity-realization math automatically.