06.18
The value of Poker Seating
Hold’em is just about people and position. All experienced Texas Holdem players concur that seating in no limit Holdem is critically significant. Showing your hole cards in last spot might be a whole lot more profitable than in early poker position. This is because a whole lot more information is amassed before acting.
As an example, I was playing a $1-$2 no limit money match at a local poker room. I bumbled in holding 2, 9 unsuited on the dealer marker, just to partake in a bit of excitement. Flop came down A-A-4. A player in early position placed a fifteen dollar wager. Two players fold and it was my turn. I really should have folded, but something seemed a little odd. I ID’d this player as a weak-tight guy, and typically if he had the biggest hand he would only check, so I called.
The turn showed with a 7, meaning it was a A-A-4-7. My opponent laid a further wager of $20. I deliberated a bit, but took a chance to re-raise another $30thirty dollars over and above his $20. He dropped out and I take the cash.
Sitting at last spot gives you an insight into where you sit by watching how players behave and bet. On the other hand, people at starting position could use their poker position to check-raise the late seated antagonists and trap them afterwords at the end. In Holdem, both spots, last and starting must be wagered cautiously.