The Five Poker Positions

There are five distinct positions in poker. These are called the button, the small blind, the big blind, under the gun, and the cut-off. Since there can be ten players to a game, everyone else who doesn't fall into any of these five spots is often described to be in a spot that's in relation to them. Generally, table seating is broken down into the early, middle, and late positions as well.

These definitive poker spots are referenced to the button, also known as the dealer's button or the dealer. Cards are dealt clockwise around the table so game movement is always to the players' left, starting from the small blind and all the way around to the button.

In a game of ten players, there will be four participants who are in the early position. These are the four consecutive players who are seated by the button's left. They include the small blind, the big blind, the player under the gun, and the next player who is often called the one to the left of the gun. The following three players are said to be in the middle position and the rest of the three (including the cut-off and the button) are said to be in the late position.

Know that the button is the last player to bet in poker. The small blind and the big blind are by the dealer's left and they make the initial wagers to start the game. The player next to the big blind is said to be under the gun because that player is the first to make a move at the pre-flop (or after the pocket cards are dealt). And the cut-off player is seated by the dealer's right. The spot's so named because this player has the last chance to cut-off the dealer from taking the blinds (if everyone else folds) by making a bet.

The five poker positions are distinctive because they can have special duties, extra pressures, or advantages in the game. Like the dealer who moves after everyone else, the blinds who post the first bets, the one under the gun who can influence the betting mood, and the cut-off who has the power to shut out the dealer from stealing the blinds. These terms are used all the time because tips and tricks with playing the different poker positions vary. And if one wishes to make the best play, one has to know how to approach a game from each of these distinctive spots.