Positions
Out of position (OOP) in poker
Definition
Acting before your opponent on the current betting round, so you must decide without seeing what they will do.
Out of position you have to decide with less information, so you need stronger hands to continue and your bluffs are riskier. Common tools to compensate are check-raising and leading with a bet.
The blinds are out of position against everyone after the flop, which is why the small blind has the worst results of all seats.
Related terms
- In position (IP)Acting after your opponent on the current betting round, so you see their action before you decide.
- PositionYour seat relative to the dealer button, which decides when you act: the later you act, the more information you have.
- Small blind (SB)The smaller forced bet, posted by the player to the left of the dealer button before the cards are dealt.
- Donk betA bet made out of position into the player who raised before the flop, instead of checking to them.
- Check-raiseTo check and then raise after an opponent bets, which shows strength or bluffs with a good draw.