Position is simply where you are sitting in relation tothe dealer’s button. In hold em and many other poker games, your position at the table is a big factor. The strength of your position comes from the fact that the betting goes in a clockwise fashion. In a favorable position you get to see how many other players react to their hands and whether they fold, bet, or call before you do. The poker phrase, “Position is power” comes from this simple idea.

There are many names associated with position to identify where players are sitting in relation to the dealer’s button. Each particular position has its own strengths or weaknesses.

• The player to the left of the dealer is not only the small blind, but must act first after the flop.
• The player to the left of the small blind is the big blind. He or she is already obligated to the game and is in another early position after the flop.
• The player to the left of the big blind is “under the gun”. This player is the first to act pre-flop and is considered to be in the worst position, even though they do not act first in any other betting round (the blinds would) because they would have to invest an entire bet to get into the action.
• The player with the dealer’s button is the last to act after the flop and has the most advantageous position. They are called “the dealer”, “on the button”, or just “the button”.
• The player to the right of the button is called “the cutoff”, which comes from the fact that this position is one of the best for blind-stealing at a full nine-handed
  or ten-handed table. This player often cuts off the dealer by betting before they have a chance to bet.
• Players in all positions are referred to as being in early, middle, or late position. Players in an early position are the first ones to act in a betting round (like the player under the gun) and late position players (like the cutoff and the button) are some of
  the last to act.

The importance of your position varies on many factors. For example, in no limit hold