Preflop in Poker: Recommendations for Different Positions at the Table

09.08.2024
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Updated 28.10.2024
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Префлоп в покере

What’s it about? Preflop in poker is the initial stage of the game where players receive their first cards and form their own strategy. This stage lays the foundation for subsequent actions and decisions.

What to consider? It’s important to analyze the table position, bet sizes, opponents’ mindsets, and their playing styles. Success also requires an understanding of hand ranges and probabilities on the preflop.

What Preflop in Poker is?

The preflop is the starting phase that begins right after the players are dealt their first “hole” cards. This stage of the game deserves special attention. The next stage involves the appearance of common cards on the table, but for now, the players do not see them.

Based on their initial combination and by analyzing their opponents’ actions, players must decide on their subsequent moves. The preflop is a crucial stage of the game. The decisions made at this stage largely determine the success in the game.

The number of cards players have at this stage and later on, the table is determined by the rules specific to each variation of poker. In the most common variant, Texas Hold’em, players receive two cards during this stage. The common cards are then dealt. The same rule applies to preflop in Omaha. The peculiarity of this variant is that players get 4 hole cards instead of 2. But they an only use two of those to make a final hand (also using 3 common cards).

How the Cards are Dealt Preflop

This is what happens during this stage of the game:

  • Players sit down at the poker table and make initial bets (if it is required in the type of poker they play).
  • The dealer thoroughly shuffles the deck. Then he deals the cards. Each player receives one card face down. The player to the left of the dealer is the first to get a card. Then the dealing goes clockwise. Then the procedure is repeated, and everyone receives a second card face down.
Пары в покере: как собираются, какие старше
  • When all players have 2 cards, the betting starts. Players analyze their hands and decide: to make or raise a bet, fold or check if there are no previous bets.
  • If someone raises the bet, the others can refuse to participate further, call (increased bet) or raise it again, according to the rules.
  • After all the bets or raises are called, the preflop round is over. Next comes the flop stage, where three common cards are dealt.

Hand Ranges and Probabilities Preflop

At this stage of the poker game, players must plan their actions taking into account the starting hand and the expected behavior of opponents. Understanding the options and probabilities is important for making decisions.

What starting hands you should play depends on many aspects. It is necessary to consider the player’s position at the table, the styles of opponents, personal strategic preferences and the pot size. Assessing the ranges of opponents’ cards helps to predict their possible moves and get an idea of ​​the strength of their hands at this stage. An aggressive raise from an early position usually signals a strong set of cards, while subsequent players have the opportunity to raise with a wider range with weaker combinations.

Probabilities at this stage depend on the starting hand and on the understanding that the opponent can have stronger hands. For example, the probability of getting a strong pocket pair is around 6%.

And the probability of getting a suited hand with a high card is about 24%. Such analysis is important for assessing your chances, the potential strength of hands, as well as for making a decision on entering the pot preflop. The chance of forming the strongest combination on the table also depends on the number of players and the quality of the starting hand.

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Thus, the possibility of getting a pair of aces (the most powerful combination in Texas Hold’em) is about 0.45%, which is equal to one case per 220 hands. At the same time, if we are not talking about a specific hand, but stronger combinations overall (for example, straights, flushes, etc.), then there is a significant drop in probability. Everything again depends on many of the aspects listed above.

Skills in understanding ranges and probabilities at the initial stage of game are quite important, thanks to which a poker player can make informed decisions and plan his actions, anticipating various scenarios for the development of the game.

Positions at the Table

What is starting hand in poker? Despite the importance of the initial cards factor, experienced players are of the opinion that this is far from the main criterion for making decisions. The position of the players is more important. It is important to remember that the player’s position after each deal moves clockwise. In this case, the dealer button is passed to the next participant.

Next, we will analyze the features of positioning at a table for nine players:

  • The Small Blind (to the left of the dealer – SB) is considered one of the most difficult positions. The player must make a bet, the size of which is half the big blind (BB). At the same time, he has to act first on all subsequent streets (at the starting stage of the game, he will be the penultimate).
  • The Big Blind (located to the left of the Small Blind – BB) obliges to make a bet equal to the size of the BB. Postflop, this player acts second, which makes his position unprofitable. The BB has a certain advantage on the preflop, as it finishes the betting round.
  • Early position (EP) covers three seats located to the left of the blinds. These players act first preflop and one of the first postflop, second to the blinds only. Beginner poker players should open only strong hands here.
  • Middle position (MP) includes couple following seats after the EP. Here, players make decisions after the first half of the participants, which expands the range of possible starting hands.
  • Cut-Off (CO) is a place clockwise just after the middle positions.
  • Button is the most advantageous position at the poker table. This player acts last postflop, having the opportunity to take into account the decisions of his opponents, which gives a significant edge.

Recommendations for Different Positions at the Table

Top players highlight the following strategies for different positions in poker:

  • In the SB and BB, you should limit yourself to strong starting cards, such as top pocket pairs (JJ and higher), high-value cards of the same suit (AK, AQ), and also selectively play middle pairs (from 99 to 22).
  • MP players can afford a wider choice of hands. In addition to strong combinations, you can rely on middle pairs (from 88 to 66), on a wide range of top cards (KQ, AJ). Individual connected cards of the same suit can also be included (for example, JTs, 98s).
  • Late positions at the table significantly expand the starting hand options. These can be connected cards of lower ranks (76s, 54s), all high cards, as well as various bluff and semi-bluff combinations.
  • Being at the Button allows you to play with the widest range of cards due to a strategic advantage. The range of options can include almost any starting hands, many connected cards, low and medium pairs, a large range of bluffs.

One should take into account that the above tips are just common recommendations. They are open to adjustment depending on the specifics of the situation at the table. The main task is to adapt your strategy to specific conditions and the behavior of opponents. Experienced poker players recommend only focusing on the long-term perspective. In this case, the chances of success increase significantly.

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Basics of Preflop Strategy in Poker

The quality of starting hands and decisions made preflop determine the development of the betting on subsequent streets. It is critical for young poker players to pay close attention to what’s going on preflop: this simplifies the postflop game and reduces the likelihood of getting into difficult situations.

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The choice of preflop action depends on the following aspects:

  • The strength of the starting hand.
  • The position of the player.
  • Action before you and types of opponents you face at the table.

Having dealt with the above factors, you will be able to make an informed decision and act in the best way possible.

Is it Possible to Win Preflop in Poker?

Winning at this stage is possible, but it is less common than at other stages. To do this, a poker player needs to use a variety of tactics to get the most out of the initial hand and their position.

A winning tactic can be bluffing at the starting stage. So, being in a late position, when many opponents have already folded their hands, you can raise. This decision is possible even with an insufficiently strong combination. As a result, there is a chance that the remaining opponents will also fold their hand, allowing you to take the pot without struggle.

Another option is to use aggressive tactics with a strong starting hand. You can make a large bet or re-raise before the flop to filter out weak hands, increasing the size of the pot. The move will allow you to get more information about the strength of the opponents’ hand, who will decide to call the bet.

Let’s say a player is in the Button (before the Blinds) with a pair of kings. The two previous opponents limped (called the blind), and the next one decided to raise. Our player decides to re-raise. This way he increases the pot and demonstrates the strength of his hand. As a result, the opponents fold, ensuring a preflop win before the common cards are dealt.

However, it is important to realize that winning at the initial stage of the game is impossible in some situations. The use of the proposed tactics must be justified. The current situation in the game should be carefully analyzed. One must expect his bluffs to be called and his strong hands to be against stronger ones.

Frequently Asked Questions about Preflop in Poker

How to determine what starting hands to play preflop?

When making a decision, you should take into account a number of important aspects: position at the table, the playing style of your opponents, the size of your stack and the goals of the game. It is recommended to give preference to strong hands, such as pairs and high suited cards.

What options are available to players preflop?

At this stage of the game, the following options are available: raise, fold, call/limp or check (if you are on the BB).

What does it mean to “go all-in preflop”?

It means you put all your chips before the common cards are dealt. Thus, the player shows that he has a strong starting hand. In no-limit games, such as Texas Hold’em, players can decide to take such a step preflop, since the bets are not limited.

In conclusion, we will summarize the most important information:

Above, we looked at what preflop is in poker. In simple terms, this is the initial stage of the game. Players receive starting hands and determine the strategy for further actions. This stage is crucial: players form the foundation for subsequent moves. Preflop, players analyze their hands, the capabilities of their opponents, and the overall dynamics at the table in order to make the best decision.

Preflop tactics are based on assessing many aspects, including the position at the table, the size of the bets, and the opponents’ playstyle. Poker players aim to increase their chances of success by choosing decisions based on the existing hands and assumptions about the strength of the opponents’ hands.

To play preflop successfully, it is necessary to understand the probabilities and ranges of hands. The use of specialized charts and other tools allows you to make informed bets and develop strategies based on mathematical calculations. With such tactics, risks are minimized and the chances of winning in the long run are increased.

Nik Maslov Professional poker coach since 2021
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