Early Position (EP) refers to the first few seats to act immediately after the Big Blind in a round of poker betting. These positions are considered disadvantageous because players must make their decisions with the least amount of information about the other players’ intentions and hand strengths, as many opponents are yet to act behind them. In a 9-handed game, this typically includes the Under the Gun (UTG), UTG+1, and sometimes UTG+2 positions.
Example
Imagine a 9-player No-Limit Hold’em cash game. The blinds are 1/2. Player A is to the direct left of the Big Blind and is designated “Under the Gun” (UTG). Player B is to the left of Player A (UTG+1), and Player C is to the left of Player B (UTG+2). When the action begins pre-flop, Player A (UTG) must act first, followed by Player B (UTG+1), then Player C (UTG+2). All three of these players are in early position, facing the challenge of acting before the majority of the table.
Strategy Tip
When playing from early position, it is crucial to adopt a much tighter and more disciplined starting hand selection strategy. Since you have many players yet to act behind you, the probability of someone waking up with a strong hand or raising is higher. Therefore, you should primarily open-raise with premium hands such as high pocket pairs (AA, KK, QQ, JJ, TT), strong Broadway cards (AKs, AQs, KQs), and occasionally strong suited connectors if deep-stacked. Avoid speculative hands that rely on seeing a cheap flop or out-of-position play, as these are typically unprofitable from early position.
FAQ
- Q: Why is early position considered a disadvantage?
- A: Early position is a disadvantage primarily due to the lack of information. You have to act before most other players, meaning you don’t know if they will fold, call, or raise. This makes it harder to gauge the strength of the hands yet to act and puts you at a higher risk of being re-raised or playing a large pot out of position post-flop.
- Q: What specific positions are considered early position in a 9-handed game?
- A: In a standard 9-handed game, the positions typically considered early position are Under the Gun (UTG), UTG+1, and sometimes UTG+2. These are the first three players to act after the Big Blind in the pre-flop betting round.
- Q: Are there any advantages to playing in early position?
- A: While generally a disadvantage, opening with a strong hand from early position can sometimes disguise the true strength of your hand. Opponents might expect you to play tighter from this position, so when you do raise, they might not immediately put you on an absolute monster. Additionally, if you are the only one to enter the pot, you define the pot size and can take initiative.