Poker position names at a glance
In Texas Hold'em, positions are usually written as abbreviations: UTG, MP, CO, BTN, SB, and BB. These names tell you where a player sits relative to the dealer button and when that player acts.
Here is the basic 6-max position list:
| Abbreviation | Full name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| UTG | Under the Gun | First to act preflop in a 6-handed game |
| MP | Middle Position | Acts after UTG, still relatively early |
| CO | Cutoff | Seat directly before the button |
| BTN | Button | Dealer button; best postflop position |
| SB | Small Blind | Posts the smaller forced blind |
| BB | Big Blind | Posts the larger forced blind |
The most important idea is simple: the button is usually the best position, while the blinds are difficult postflop. Position is not just a seat label. It affects which hands you can play and how aggressively you can play them.
6-max poker position order
In a 6-handed Texas Hold'em game, positions are arranged around the table like this:
| Order | Position | Group |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UTG | Early position |
| 2 | MP | Middle position |
| 3 | CO | Late position |
| 4 | BTN | Late position |
| 5 | SB | Blind |
| 6 | BB | Blind |
The action order depends on the street.
| Street | Action order |
|---|---|
| Preflop | UTG → MP → CO → BTN → SB → BB |
| Postflop | SB → BB → UTG → MP → CO → BTN |
Preflop starts to the left of the big blind because the small blind and big blind have already posted forced bets. After the flop, action starts from the small blind side, and the button acts last if still in the hand.
UTG: Under the Gun
UTG stands for Under the Gun. In a 6-max game, UTG is the first player to act preflop.
UTG is a difficult position because every other player still has a chance to act after you. If you open too many weak hands from UTG, you will often face calls or 3-bets from stronger ranges behind you.
UTG strategy basics
- Play a tight opening range.
- Avoid weak offsuit hands.
- Expect more pressure from players behind.
- Your raises usually represent a stronger range than button raises.
MP: Middle Position
MP stands for Middle Position. It acts after UTG and before CO, BTN, and the blinds.
MP is slightly more flexible than UTG, but it is still not a late position. You can open a little wider than UTG, but you still need to respect the players behind you.
MP strategy basics
- Open slightly wider than UTG.
- Be careful with hands that can be dominated, such as KJ or QJ.
- Watch for 3-bets from CO and BTN.
- Strong broadway hands and pocket pairs are usually easier to play.
CO: Cutoff
CO stands for Cutoff. It is the seat directly before the button.
The cutoff is a strong position because only the button and blinds remain behind you. If the button folds, the cutoff often has position postflop.
CO strategy basics
- Open wider than UTG and MP.
- Steal blinds more often when players behind are tight.
- Be ready for button 3-bets.
- Use position to apply pressure after the flop.
BTN: Button
BTN stands for Button, also called the dealer button. It is the strongest position in Texas Hold'em.
The button acts last after the flop, turn, and river. That means you see what everyone else does before making your decision.
BTN strategy basics
- Open the widest range of all positions.
- Attack blinds when they fold too much.
- Use position to control pot size.
- Bluff more effectively because you act last.
The button is powerful, but it does not mean you should play every hand. Weak hands still lose money if you overplay them.
SB: Small Blind
SB stands for Small Blind. The small blind posts the smaller forced bet before the hand begins.
The small blind is tricky because it acts late preflop but usually acts first after the flop. That makes it one of the hardest positions to play profitably.
SB strategy basics
- Do not complete or call too often just because you already posted chips.
- Prefer raise or fold in many unopened situations.
- Be careful: you will usually be out of position postflop.
- 3-betting can be better than flat-calling against late-position opens.
BB: Big Blind
BB stands for Big Blind. The big blind posts the larger forced bet and is often used as the unit for stack sizes, such as 100BB.
The big blind acts last preflop, which is useful. However, it usually acts early after the flop, so it is still a difficult postflop position.
BB strategy basics
- Defend wider than other positions because you already posted the blind.
- Consider pot odds when facing a raise.
- Do not defend every weak hand just because it is cheaper.
- Remember that you will often be out of position postflop.
Position names by number of players
Short-handed games do not use every position name. As the table gets smaller, early positions disappear first.
| Players | Positions used |
|---|---|
| 2 | SB, BB |
| 3 | BTN, SB, BB |
| 4 | CO, BTN, SB, BB |
| 5 | MP, CO, BTN, SB, BB |
| 6 | UTG, MP, CO, BTN, SB, BB |
For example, in a 3-handed game there is no UTG or MP. The button, small blind, and big blind are the only positions.
Why position matters
Position matters because poker is a game of incomplete information. The later you act, the more information you have.
Late position gives you advantages:
- You see whether opponents check, bet, call, or raise.
- You can value bet more accurately.
- You can bluff more effectively.
- You can control the size of the pot.
- You can play more hands profitably.
Early position has the opposite problem. You act before most players and risk getting raised behind.
Position groups and basic strategy
| Group | Positions | Basic approach |
|---|---|---|
| Early position | UTG | Tightest range |
| Middle position | MP | Slightly wider than UTG |
| Late position | CO, BTN | Wider ranges, more steals |
| Blinds | SB, BB | Forced bets, often out of position postflop |
As a beginner, one of the easiest ways to improve is to play tighter from early position and wider from the button. The same hand can be a fold from UTG and a raise from BTN.
Preflop vs postflop action order
One common beginner confusion is that action order changes after the flop.
Preflop, the blinds have already posted money, so the first player left of the big blind acts first. In 6-max, that is UTG.
Postflop, action starts with the first active player left of the button. If the small blind is still in the hand, the small blind usually acts first. The button usually acts last.
This is why BTN is so strong: after the flop, it gets the most information.
FAQ
What does UTG stand for in poker?
UTG stands for Under the Gun. It is the first position to act preflop in a 6-max game and should usually play a tight range.
What does CO mean in poker?
CO stands for Cutoff. It is the seat directly before the button and is one of the best late positions.
What does BTN mean in poker?
BTN stands for Button. It is the dealer button position and usually the most profitable seat because it acts last postflop.
What is the difference between SB and BB?
SB means Small Blind and posts the smaller forced blind. BB means Big Blind and posts the larger forced blind. The big blind is also commonly used as a unit for stack sizes and win rates.
What is the best position in poker?
The button is usually the best position because it acts last after the flop. Acting last gives you the most information before making decisions.
Summary
Poker position names are shorthand for where players sit and when they act.
| Abbreviation | Full name |
|---|---|
| UTG | Under the Gun |
| MP | Middle Position |
| CO | Cutoff |
| BTN | Button |
| SB | Small Blind |
| BB | Big Blind |
Start with this simple rule: play tighter from early position, play wider from late position, and be careful in the blinds. Understanding position will make your preflop decisions clearer and your postflop decisions easier.