{"id":233315,"date":"2024-06-17T18:20:25","date_gmt":"2024-06-17T18:20:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/17\/understanding-poker-positions-for-6-and-9-handed-poker-tables\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T17:16:51","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T17:16:51","slug":"understanding-poker-positions-for-6-and-9-handed-poker-tables","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/17\/understanding-poker-positions-for-6-and-9-handed-poker-tables\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Poker Positions for 6 and 9-Handed Poker Tables"},"content":{"rendered":"

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After learning the rules and hand rankings, the next thing a future poker pro must master is poker positions. These positions impact the game\u2019s flow, like in Texas Hold\u2019em, where the different blinds are governed by the positions at the table, so every player needs to learn each position.<\/p>\n

This is precisely what we\u2019ll cover in detail in this comprehensive guide on all 6-handed and 9-handed poker positions. We\u2019ll explain and give answers to some burning questions, so ante up and dive into this poker strategy guide.<\/p>\n

What Are the Best Poker Positions When Playing Texas Hold\u2019em?<\/h2>\n

Poker table positions can be challenging to understand, and even more difficult to master when starting with the most popular form of poker, Texas Hold\u2019em. The same goes for Omaha and any other type of poker<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To make it easier, we\u2019ve prepared a range of images and explanations covering various positions in poker and which ones are higher up in the game\u2019s hierarchy. We\u2019ll explain every essential position in the paragraphs below and tell when it\u2019s used in 9-handed or 6-handed poker table formats.<\/p>\n

The Button (Dealer)<\/h3>\n

The poker button position is the game\u2019s dealer in every format and typically has a white button in front of them, hence the name. The BTN (button) is often considered the best position to be in, as you get to see what the first three positions will do so you can adjust your poker strategy<\/a> accordingly.<\/p>\n

More than that, as the initial poker table position in the game, you\u2019re also the last to act after the flop. The BTN has the widest RFI (raise first in) range of 48%, meaning you have the potential for the most hands to play.<\/p>\n

The Small Blind<\/h3>\n

The Small Blind (SB) is the position in poker that plays straight after the button and is occupied by the player sitting to the left of them. This gives the player the privilege of seeing what others do before them, but it\u2019s still not a very good position, as you have to act immediately after the flop.<\/p>\n

The SB\u2019s RFI is narrower than the BTN\u2019s, sitting at 36%. Another disadvantage of this position is having to put chips in the pot before seeing your hole cards. This is the same for all poker formats.<\/p>\n

The Big Blind<\/h3>\n

The Big Blind position comes after the small blind and is the one that has to put the big blind in, i.e., double the money put up by SB. Again It exists in both formats.<\/p>\n

This is generally considered the worst position in poker, as you can\u2019t see your cards and must put the most money in initially. On top of that, you are the second player to act after the flop.<\/p>\n

Under the Gun<\/h3>\n

Under the Gun is the player coming after the Big Blind in a typical poker table order. It\u2019s also one of the least favorable positions overall and the worst position preflop because you have the least info on which to act, i.e., only your cards. It exists in both 9-handed and 6-handed poker.<\/p>\n

With only your cards to act on and having to play first before the flop, this position has the tightest RFI in the game at 7%. The name Under the Gun also shows the high amount of pressure that comes with one of the worst poker seat positions.<\/p>\n

Under the Gun + 1<\/h3>\n

One of the 9-handed poker positions, under the gun +1 (UTG+1), is the player coming right after UTG. With only one player before you acting after the flop, you don\u2019t get much to act on after the flop. You\u2019ll find this position in 9-handed poker but not 6-handed poker.<\/p>\n

With as many as seven players left to act after you, the UTG+1 position means you get only a slightly higher RFI than the UTG, 8%.<\/p>\n

Under The Gun +2 (Middle Position)<\/h3>\n

We are already halfway in the poker player positions, but Under the Gun + 2 (UTG+2) or Middle Position (MP) is the first middle position in a 9-handed poker game and the second in 6-handed poker. The MP sits to the left of UTG+1 and gets to act after them.<\/p>\n

This is still one of the worst positions on a poker table, as you have little information to act on pre-flop and limiting info before the flop. However, the RFI is close to double digits, sitting at 9.5%, as the position is still a bit better than UTG and UTG+1.<\/p>\n

Lojack<\/h3>\n

The Lojack (LJ) is seated to the left of the MP and is effectively in the same position as UTG in 6-handed poker. After this position comes the Hijack and the Cutoff, so it\u2019s relatively close to the end, at least in 9-handed poker, as you won\u2019t find it in 6-handed poker.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s one of the middle poker table positions, and its RFI range is relatively tight, but it is better than all under-the-gun positions, even the MP, and sits at 13%.<\/p>\n

Hijack<\/h3>\n

The Hijack (HJ) comes after the Lojack and before the cutoff, making this the first of the late poker player positions in 9-handed poker. It doesn\u2019t exist in the 6-handed format.<\/p>\n

This is a decent position, as you get to see what the early-positioned players have done and make proper decisions. On top of that, the RFI is finally getting better, sitting at 18% for this position.<\/p>\n

The Cutoff<\/h3>\n

The cutoff (CO) plays after the hijack and is only one seat away from the button or right before the button. Because of this, it\u2019s one of the poker hand positions in both formats we\u2019re discussing, and it\u2019s where things start to get interesting.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re placed as the CO, you can start stealing some blinds more heavily. This is important because if this leads to the BTN folding, you\u2019ll get to control the action and be in position (IP) against both blinds.<\/p>\n

9-Handed Poker Seat Positions<\/h2>\n

\"Poker\"Poker<\/p>\n

Nine-handed poker is a game format with nine hands or nine positions. In plain words, avoiding the sometimes confusing poker terms<\/a>, it\u2019s the format with nine players. This is full-ring poker, and it\u2019s ideal for beginners because the game is slower, and you have enough time to think before the action reaches you.<\/p>\n

Early Positions<\/h3>\n

Early positions at a poker table are left of the dealer, and they get to play first after the dealer places the hole cards for everyone to see. Here\u2019s what these positions are in 9-handed poker:<\/p>\n