Position
Your seat relative to the button — fundamental in poker
Definition
Position refers to your seat at the table relative to the button (BTN). Playing in position (IP = In Position) means acting last postflop, which is a considerable informational advantage: you see your opponents' actions before making your decision. Positions split into early position (UTG in 6-max; UTG, UTG+1, UTG+2 in full ring), middle position (HJ), late position (CO, BTN), with the blinds (SB, BB) acting afterward. The later your position, the more hands you can play profitably, because you'll have the advantage of acting after your opponents on every street. Position directly shapes range construction: BTN opens ~45% of hands, UTG only ~15%. That difference reflects the edge of playing IP postflop. Postflop, playing OOP (Out Of Position) is such a disadvantage that it can justify folding hands that would be profitable in isolation. That's why position must be built into preflop ranges from the start.
BTN (Button) is the best position because you act last on every postflop street against SB and BB. UTG is the worst position: you act first preflop and often first postflop with very little information about your opponents' ranges.
Frequently asked questions
Why is position so important?
Playing in position means acting last on every postflop street: you see your opponents' actions before deciding, which improves pot control, value extraction and bluff efficiency. That's why you can play far more hands on the button than in early position.
What is the best position in poker?
The button (BTN): you act last postflop against everyone else. The worst is UTG (early position), which acts first preflop with the most players behind and the least information.