“Under the Gun” (UTG) refers to the player seated immediately to the left of the big blind at a poker table. This player is the first to act in the pre-flop betting round, making them the first to initiate the action by choosing to fold, call, or raise. Due to the disadvantage of having to act without any information on how other players might react, UTG is considered one of the most challenging and weakest positions at the table.
Example
Imagine a 9-handed No-Limit Texas Hold’em game. The dealer button is on Player 5. Player 6 is the Small Blind, and Player 7 is the Big Blind. Player 8, seated directly to the left of the Big Blind (Player 7), is “Under the Gun”. When the cards are dealt, Player 8 will be the first player to make a decision – they must decide whether to fold their hand, call the big blind, or raise, all before anyone else has acted.
Strategy Tip
Playing from the “Under the Gun” position requires a very tight and disciplined strategy. Since you have to act first pre-flop and will be out of position post-flop against most opponents, it’s crucial to only play your strongest starting hands. This typically includes premium pairs (AA, KK, QQ, JJ, TT), strong Broadway cards (AKs, AKo, AQs), and sometimes suited connectors like KQs or JTs in very deep-stacked or loose games. Avoid speculative or marginal hands from UTG, as you’ll often face re-raises or find yourself in difficult spots post-flop with little information.
FAQ
Q: Why is it called “Under the Gun”?
A: The term “Under the Gun” comes from the pressure associated with being the first to act without any prior information about your opponents’ intentions. It’s like having a gun pointed at you, forcing you to make a decision under duress and with a significant disadvantage.
Q: Does the UTG player always act first in every betting round?
A: No, the UTG player only acts first in the pre-flop betting round. In all subsequent post-flop betting rounds (flop, turn, and river), the action starts with the first active player to the left of the dealer button. This often means the Small Blind or the player immediately to their left acts first post-flop, regardless of who was UTG pre-flop.
Q: What’s the difference between UTG and UTG+1?
A: “Under the Gun” (UTG) is the very first player to act pre-flop. “UTG+1” refers to the player immediately to the left of the UTG player, making them the second player to act pre-flop. Both are considered “early position