Poker Position and Table Selection Guide (2025)

You could have the best hand-reading skills and perfect bet sizing, but if you're playing out of position at tough tables, you're leaving money on the floor. Position and table selection are fundamental skills that separate winning players from break-even grinders.

Understanding Position

What Is Position?

Position refers to when you act relative to other players. Acting later gives you more information—you see what opponents do before making your decision.

Position Names

Early Position (EP):

• Under the Gun (UTG): First to act preflop
• UTG+1, UTG+2: Next seats clockwise
• Must act with minimal information
• Play tightest from here

Middle Position (MP):

• Seats between early and late position
• More information, but not ideal
• Can open wider than EP

Late Position (LP):

• Cutoff (CO): One seat right of button
• Button (BTN): Best position at the table
• Maximum information before acting

Blinds:

• Small Blind (SB): Forced bet, acts first postflop
• Big Blind (BB): Larger forced bet, last preflop but early postflop

Why Position Matters

Information advantage: You see opponents' actions before deciding. Did they check (weak?), bet (strong?), or raise (very strong?)

Pot control: In position, you decide whether to bet for value, check for pot control, or bluff when checked to.

Bluffing opportunities: When opponents check to you, bluffs are more credible. Out of position, you're betting into unknown hands.

Value extraction: See opponents' responses before deciding how much to bet. Extract maximum value from strong hands.

Free cards: When checked to, you can take a free card to improve your draw.

Position Strategy Adjustments

Playing in Position (IP)

Preflop:

• Open wider from late position
• Call more speculative hands (suited connectors, small pairs)
• 3-bet lighter as a bluff

Postflop:

• Bet more frequently (opponents often give up)
• Float with draws (call, then bet when opponent gives up)
• Size bets based on opponent tendencies
• Control pot size when appropriate

Playing Out of Position (OOP)

Preflop:

• Open tighter ranges
• 3-bet more polarized (very strong or bluffs)
• Fold more marginal hands

Postflop:

• Check-raise more frequently (balance checking range)
• Lead less often (unless wet board texture favors you)
• Give up earlier on marginal hands
• Size bets for protection

Position-Based Opening Ranges

These are guidelines—adjust based on table dynamics.

The Button Advantage

Why the Button Is Best

The button has position on everyone for the entire hand. Statistics show button players win the most money.

Button advantages:

• Last to act on every street
• Can steal blinds easily
• Sees all actions before deciding
• Controls pot size precisely
• Maximum bluffing credibility

Button Strategy

Opening range: Very wide (40-50% of hands)

Against one limper: Raise with almost any playable hand

Postflop: Use your position aggressively

Against 3-bets: Can call in position with wider range

Stealing Blinds

The button is prime stealing position:

• Raise with playable hands
• Many blinds fold to aggression
• Even when called, you have position

Blind stealing is a significant part of long-term poker profit.

Blind Play

Small Blind Strategy

The worst position at the table:

• Pay half a blind
• Out of position postflop against everyone except BB
• Must play carefully

Adjustments:

• Complete or fold most hands (raising only premium)
• Some players employ a 3-bet or fold strategy
• Never limp weak hands (just folds or raises)
• Be prepared to play defense postflop

Big Blind Strategy

Better than small blind but still challenging:

• Already invested one full blind
• Must defend against steals, but not too wide
• Out of position postflop against all but SB

Adjustments:

• Defend against button opens reasonably wide (price is good)
• 3-bet tighter than from other positions
• Fold to large early position opens
• Check-raise postflop to combat position disadvantage

Table Selection

Why Table Selection Matters

You can't beat tough tables as profitably as soft ones. The same skill level earns dramatically more at the right table.

Example:

• Table A: Six regulars, two fish. Win rate: 2bb/100 hands.
• Table B: Three regulars, five fish. Win rate: 8bb/100 hands.

Same player, four times the profit. Table selection is that powerful.

Identifying Good Tables

Signs of a soft table:

• Large average pots
• High flop percentage (players seeing many flops)
• Many limpers (passive, weak play)
• Visible recreational players (drinks, chatting, having fun)
• Frequent min-raises or strange bet sizes
• Players showing hands unnecessarily

Signs of a tough table:

• Small average pots
• Low flop percentage (tight play)
• Frequent 3-bets and 4-bets
• Players wearing hoodies/headphones (stereotypically serious)
• Professional demeanor
• Everyone on their phones with poker apps

Using Casino Information

Floor staff: Ask which tables are action-heavy. They know.

Wait list: Join multiple lists; choose the best available table.

Table change: Request a move if your table tightens up.

Game selection apps: Some tools track casino game quality.

Seat Selection

Once you find a good table, position matters:

Put recreational players on your right: You'll have position on them—the most profitable situation.

Put tight/aggressive players on your left: They'll act before you can exploit their patterns.

Avoid having big stacks directly on your left: They can put pressure on you postflop.

Table Changing

Don't stay at bad tables out of stubbornness:

• If the fish leave, consider leaving too
• If the table dynamics shift, adapt or move
• Your ego shouldn't keep you at a tough game

Online Table Selection

Finding Soft Games

Lobby statistics:

• VPIP (voluntarily put money in pot): Higher = looser = usually softer
• Players per flop: Similar metric
• Average pot size: Larger often means more action

Time of day: Recreational players often play nights and weekends.

Game type: Lower stakes often have more recreational players.

Multi-Tabling Considerations

More tables = more volume, but:

• Less time for player reads
• Reduced ability to table select
• May end up at tougher tables

Balance volume with game quality.

Tracking Software

HUD (Heads-Up Display) tools show:

• Opponent statistics
• Table profitability
• Historical results

Use data to identify soft tables and weak players.

Live vs. Online Table Selection

Live Advantages

More information:

• Physical tells
• Player behavior
• Table atmosphere

Better selection:

• Visually identify recreational players
• Chat with floor staff
• Observe before sitting

Stickier players:

• Players stay longer at live games
• Less table-hopping than online

Online Advantages

More options:

• Dozens of tables running simultaneously
• Easy to try different tables

Faster information:

• Lobby statistics available instantly
• Tracking software provides data

Easier to leave:

• No social pressure to stay
• Click a button and go

Common Mistakes

Position Mistakes

Playing too many hands OOP: Calling raises out of position with marginal hands is a huge leak.

Not exploiting the button: Tight button play leaves money on the table.

Ignoring position in bet sizing: Out of position, you often need to bet larger for protection.

Table Selection Mistakes

Ego over profit: Staying at tough games to prove yourself costs money.

Ignoring game dynamics: Tables change as players leave and join. Adjust.

Poor seat selection: Sitting anywhere available instead of strategically.

Playing tired/tilted: Poor mental state makes any table harder.

The Bottom Line

Position is the most underrated edge in poker. Playing more hands in position and fewer out of position immediately improves results.

Table selection might be even more impactful. The best player at a tough table makes less than an average player at a soft one. Swallow your pride and seek out profitable games.

To improve:

1. Tighten early position, widen late position
2. Steal more from the button
3. Avoid marginal situations out of position
4. Actively seek soft tables
5. Change tables when games get tough
6. Put recreational players on your right

These aren't glamorous skills, but they're where consistent profit comes from.