Early Position

The term early position is used to denote the first few players to act before the flop in community card games. The total number of players at the table dictates how many positions fall under the “early position” umbrella.

For example, at a nine-handed table, it is commonly accepted there are three early positions, describing the first three players to act in a hand. They are usually termed Under the Gun (UTG), UTG+1, and UTG+2.

At a six-handed table, there is only one position that really fits the early position description, and that’s the very first player to act before the flop (UTG).

The main reason for differentiating positions at a poker table is that the position heavily influences the range of hands one should play. In an early position, you should play much fewer hands than from middle or late seats.

In that sense, being in an early position is disadvantageous, as you need to act first and have many players sitting behind you who can wake up with a strong hand.

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