Playing poker is based heavily on position. What is position, exactly? Well, it's basically just plain common sense. The further a player is in comparison to the Big Blind, the more information the player has. Many players, both newer players and more experienced ones, believe that you have the best possible position in the hand when you are in last position. Individuals who run the gamut of intelligence are inclined to believe that speaking or being last is the best possible position to be in during any given hand. However, those with a good deal of experience and knowledge are able to understand that this is not always the case. In fact, having this type of outlook is not just incorrect and wrong, it is also short-sighted and simplistic in nature. This is not the type of outlook which will allow long-term success for poker players and poker enthusiasts who truly want to do well when it comes to the game.
Players who are the first to speak after the big blind have a common nickname. These people are known to be 'under the gun'. Even if you have a nice hand, such as an Ace and a Jack, if you are under the gun, this is not a good hand for that position. There are nine other players, many of whom could have significantly better hands. Perhaps someone has a pair of Jack or Kings or Queens - Maybe someone even has a pair of Aces. You just don't know. Players who play this hand are more likely to lose over time. In the long-run, they are not likely to do well.
If a player had raised with the hand they had, and then been forced to fold because someone had a better hand, they would have wasted two bets. The individual who does not waste money on this hand would have more money to play with later. Seated on the button is another spot known by many players as the perfect position. At this position, is able to raise after seeing what the first person does or does not have as a result of their decision in the hand. If the individual next to you as the player does not raise, they probably don't have a better hand than you. Then, there are only two hands left. There is the small blind and the big blind behind the player. Even with the Ace Jack hand you have, it is clear to see that there is a very small chance now of any player having a better hand than you presently do.
On the whole, if you are under the gun and you have an Ace and a Jack, the best call would be to fold - even if it doesn't seem that way at first. At the very least, be sure to fold if you are in this position and holding an Ace Nine or an Ace Ten. However, for the most part, playing a poker position is really all about common sense - where are you sitting and what are you holding? How are the other players acting? It is not all just about what cards you are holding. Having a certain hand in one position does not immediately necessitate the same success the hand would have in another position. This is a very simple, yet true, fact of the game that should be considered by all players, whether the players are new or they are more experienced. When playing poker, everything, including the position you are at, should be considered for every single hand you play in order to help determine your odds of success.
See also:
