Mastering Playing Out of Position: A Guide to Navigating the Tough Spots in Poker

 Hey poker fans! Today, we’re tackling a tricky topic—playing out of position. If you’ve ever felt like you’re in the dark when acting before your opponents, you’re not alone. Being out of position (OOP) puts you at a serious disadvantage because you don’t have the luxury of seeing what your opponent does before making your decision. But fear not—there are ways to minimize the damage and even turn the tables in your favor! Let’s dive into how to adjust your strategy and keep crushing it, even when you’re OOP.

What Does It Mean to Be Out of Position?

Out of position (OOP) means you’re acting before your opponent on any given betting round. This is the opposite of being in position (IP), where you get to act last and have the advantage of seeing how your opponent plays before making your move.

Common Scenarios:

• Small Blind and Big Blind: These positions are always OOP post-flop when facing the rest of the table.
• Early and Middle Positions: If you raise or call from early or middle position, you’ll likely be out of position against players acting after you, like those on the button or cutoff.

Example:

You raise pre-flop from under the gun with A-Q, and the player on the button calls. Now you’re OOP for the rest of the hand, meaning you’ll have to act first on every betting round.

The Disadvantages of Playing Out of Position

Lack of Information:

When you’re OOP, you’re forced to make decisions without knowing what your opponent will do. This puts you in a spot where you’re always guessing, making it harder to play optimally.

Control of the Pot:

OOP, it’s tough to control the size of the pot. In position, players can manipulate the pot size more easily, deciding whether to bet, raise, or control the action based on what you do.

Bluffing and Semi-Bluffing:

Bluffing becomes riskier OOP because you don’t know if your opponent will bet or raise behind you. Your bluffs are more likely to get called or raised, forcing you into uncomfortable situations.

Example:

You hold K-J on a Q-10-6 board. You check to your opponent, and they bet. Now you’re stuck guessing—do they have a strong hand or are they just taking a stab? If you were in position, you’d have more info to base your decision on.

Adjusting Your Strategy When Out of Position

Tighten Your Range:

When you’re OOP, it’s time to tighten up. Avoid speculative hands like small suited connectors or weak aces, as they’re harder to play profitably when you’re acting first.

Example:

In early position, you fold hands like K-10 suited or 6-5 suited, which you might play from the button. Instead, focus on strong hands like A-K, K-Q suited, or pocket pairs.

Check More Often:

Checking frequently allows you to control the pot size and gather more information about your opponent’s tendencies. You can also set up a check-raise if you’re holding a strong hand.

Example:

You check-call with A-J on a J-7-4 flop while OOP. By checking, you get to see what your opponent does on the turn before committing more chips.

Don’t Overcommit to Bluffs:

Bluffing while OOP is risky because you’re more likely to get called or raised. Focus on bluffing only when you have additional equity, like a draw, or when you’re confident your opponent will fold, as we discussed previously on a post about fold equity.

Example:

You hold 9-8 of spades on a 10-6-4 board with two spades. Instead of firing a huge bluff, you check-call, hoping to improve your draw while keeping the pot manageable.

The Power of the Check-Raise

What Is a Check-Raise?

A check-raise is when you check to your opponent, they bet, and you respond by raising. It’s a bold move that can throw your opponent off balance and force them to rethink their hand strength.

When to Check-Raise:

• With Strong Hands: Check-raising can be done for value with a top pair or better, and can help build the pot and put your opponent to the test.
• With Draws: Check-raising with a draw can pressure your opponent while building the pot in case you hit your draw on the next street.

Example:

You have A-Q on a Q-6-3 flop. You check to your opponent, they bet, and you check-raise, putting the pressure back on them.

Handling Aggression When Out of Position

Facing a C-Bet:

When you’re OOP and facing a continuation bet (C-bet), caution is key. If the board is dry, like K-7-2 rainbow, consider check-calling with top or middle pair to control the pot.

Example:

You hold Q-Q, and the flop comes K-7-2. Instead of leading out with a bet, you check-call the C-bet to keep the pot small while maintaining control of the hand.

Dealing with 3-Bets:

When you raise pre-flop and face a 3-bet while OOP, it’s crucial to reassess the strength of your hand. Continue only with strong hands or those with good post-flop playability, like suited high connectors or big pocket pairs.

Example:

You raise with A-T suited from the cutoff and face a 3-bet from the button. Since you’re OOP and don’t have the strongest hand, folding is often the best choice.

Playing Out of Position Post-Flop

Controlling the Pot:

When OOP, avoid building huge pots unless you have a monster hand. By checking and calling instead of betting and raising, you can keep the pot size in check.

Example:

You hold A-Q on a Q-9-4 flop. Instead of betting big, you check-call to gather more information and keep the pot from getting out of hand.

Leading with Strong Hands:

Sometimes leading out with strong hands is the way to go. It forces your opponents to react and can prevent them from gaining control of the pot.

Example:

You hold K-K on a J-9-5 board. You lead with a bet to charge your opponents who are drawing or holding weaker pairs.

Betting and Raising for Protection

Betting for Protection:

Sometimes you’ll need to bet OOP to protect vulnerable hands, especially on wet boards. This forces your opponent to either fold or pay to see another card, denying them a free shot at improving their hand.

Example:

You hold A-10 on a 10-7-5 board. With straight and flush draws out there, you bet to protect your top pair and force your opponent to pay to see the turn.

Final Thoughts: Mastering OOP Play

Playing out of position can be challenging, but with the right adjustments, you can still come out on top. Tighten your range, check more often, and don’t overcommit to bluffs when you’re OOP. Master the check-raise, and always keep control of the pot in mind. The more you practice these strategies, the more comfortable you’ll become playing from less-than-ideal spots. Remember, poker is all about making the best decisions with the information you have—even when it’s limited.

See you at the tables!

Alon Marcus