Lesson 31 [Intermediate] Optimizing In-Position Play

In-position is the biggest advantage in poker. Since your opponent acts first, you gain information, control the pot, and increase your chances of successful bluffs.

Basic Strategy

When in position, maximize your value and control the pot by fully utilizing your opponent's checks.

Basic Premise: 100BB cash game, 6-max, heads-up pot, in position

The core of in-position play consists of three key aspects:

• Information Advantage: Since your opponent acts first, you can estimate their hand strength by their check/bet.
• Pot Control: If your opponent checks, you can also check to see a free card.
• Bluff Success Rate: If your opponent shows weakness (checks), your chances of taking the pot with a bluff are high.

There are three reasons why being in position is advantageous:

• You make decisions after seeing your opponent's action, which reduces the chance of making mistakes.
• Even with weak hands, you can check back to get a free card and complete your draw.
• If your opponent checks, you gain the initiative and an opportunity to take the pot.

Practical Application

1. When your opponent checks on the flop

Increase your continuation bet frequency (70% or more). Since your opponent has shown weakness, you can often induce a fold even with a small size (1/3 pot).

2. When your opponent bets on the flop

With draw hands or marginal hands, call to see the turn. Since you are in position, if your opponent checks on the turn, you can bluff or see a free card.

3. When your opponent check-checks on the turn and also checks on the river

Consider a value bet even with weak hands. Since your opponent has checked twice, you have a high chance of beating weak pairs or ace-high.

4. When you miss your draw

Attempt a bluff on the river. If your opponent checked on the flop and turn, they likely have a weak hand, so your bluff success rate will be high.

Thought Framework

It's good to approach in-position play with this framework:

1. What action did your opponent take? (check vs. bet)
2. What does that action imply? (weak hand vs. strong hand vs. draw)
3. How well does my hand beat my opponent's range? (value vs. bluff catcher vs. bluff)
4. What is the pot size? (small pot makes bluffing easier, large pot requires caution)
5. What is the plan for the turn/river? (bet now vs. bet later vs. check back)

Example Hand Analysis

Example 1: Utilizing Information Advantage on the Flop

Game: Cash Game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: BTN
Preflop: Hero raises $6 with A♠9♠ from the BTN, BB calls
Pot: $13
Flop: K♦ 8♣ 3♥
Big Blind: checks

Thought Process:

1. Who is structurally favored on this board?
   → BTN's raising range contains many Kx hands (AK, KQ, KJ). BB's calling range has fewer Kx and is centered around middle pairs and draws.
2. What is my hand's role within my range?
   → A9s is weak with ace-high, but a bluff is possible since the opponent checked.
3. Does the opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call frequently?
   → Since the opponent checked, they will likely fold hands like 77, 66, ace-high, or backdoor draws.

Conclusion: Bet $4 (1/3 pot)

Comment: Since the opponent checked, they likely have a weak hand. Utilizing the in-position advantage, a small bluff size can often induce a fold. Even if called, having a backdoor flush draw makes it not a bad spot.

Example 2: Free Card with Pot Control

Game: Cash Game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: CO
Preflop: Hero raises $6 with 9♦8♦ from the CO, BB calls
Pot: $13
Flop: K♠ 7♥ 6♣
Big Blind: checks
Hero: bets $4, Big Blind calls
Pot: $21
Turn: 2♠
Big Blind: checks

Thought Process:

1. Who is structurally favored on this board?
   → 98 is an open-ended straight draw (a 5 or T makes a straight). The turn is a brick (2).
2. What is my hand's role within my range?
   → A draw hand, not yet completed. 8 outs (counting outs).
3. Does the opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call frequently?
   → Since the opponent checked again, they likely have a weak pair (77, 66) or a draw. Betting might induce a fold.

Conclusion: Check (pot control)

Comment: The draw is not complete, and the opponent has checked twice, so taking a free card is advantageous. Being in position, if the straight completes on the river, you can value bet; if you miss, you can attempt a bluff. Betting on the turn carries the risk of the opponent folding or raising.

Example 3: Stealing the Pot with a River Bluff

Game: Cash Game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: BTN
Preflop: Hero raises $6 with J♠T♠ from the BTN, BB calls
Pot: $13
Flop: A♦ 7♣ 4♥
Big Blind: checks, Hero bets $4, Big Blind calls
Pot: $21
Turn: 9♠
Big Blind: checks, Hero checks
Pot: $21
River: 3♣
Big Blind: checks

Thought Process:

1. Who is structurally favored on this board?
   → JTs is jack-high with no ace-high. Missed the draw. Opponent checked flop-turn-river.
2. What is my hand's role within my range?
   → A bluff hand. Almost no chance of winning at showdown.
3. Does the opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call frequently?
   → Since the opponent checked three times, they likely have a weak pair (77, 44, 33) or a missed draw. High bluff success rate.

Conclusion: Bet $14 (2/3 pot)

Comment: Since the opponent checked on the flop, turn, and river, they likely have a very weak hand. Utilizing the in-position advantage to bluff can fold out small pairs or ace-high. Going to showdown has a high chance of losing, so bluffing is advantageous in this spot.

Example 4: Maximizing Value Extraction

Game: Cash Game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: BTN
Preflop: Hero raises $6 with A♣K♠ from the BTN, BB calls
Pot: $13
Flop: K♦ Q♠ 3♥
Big Blind: checks, Hero bets $8, Big Blind calls
Pot: $29
Turn: 6♣
Big Blind: checks, Hero bets $20, Big Blind calls
Pot: $69
River: 2♠
Big Blind: checks

Thought Process:

1. Who is structurally favored on this board?
   → AK is a very strong hand with top pair, top kicker. The opponent check-called on both the flop and turn, so they likely have a middle pair (QQ, 66) or a draw.
2. What is my hand's role within my range?
   → A value hand. I can get more chips with a value bet on the river.
3. Does the opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call frequently?
   → Since the opponent called twice, they have something. The river is a blank card, so a value bet is possible.

Conclusion: Bet $45 (2/3 pot)

Comment: Since the opponent check-called on the flop and turn, they likely have hands like KQ, Kx, or QQ. They also checked on the river, so you can get more chips with a value bet. Being in position allows you to choose the optimal bet size based on your opponent's action.

Key Pattern Summary

Pattern 1: Opponent checks on the flop → Increase continuation bet frequency (70% or more, small size)

Pattern 2: Draw hand + Opponent checks → Check back for a free card

Pattern 3: Opponent checks on multiple streets → Consider bluffing or thin value betting

Pattern 4: Strong hand + Opponent check-calls → Multi-street value bet

Pattern 5: Missed draw on the river + Opponent shows weakness → Attempt a bluff

Pattern 6: Marginal hand + Opponent bets → Call to see the turn (utilizing in-position)

Pattern 7: Utilize information advantage → Decide on value/bluff based on opponent's action

Quiz

Question 1
BTN raises, BB calls. Flop J♠ 9♥ 3♦, opponent checks. You hold A♦K♣. What is the correct strategy utilizing in-position advantage?

A) Check (pot control)
B) Small size bet (1/3 pot)
C) Large size bet (full pot)
D) Fold

Question 2
CO raises, BB calls. Flop K♠ T♦ 7♣, opponent checks, you bet, opponent calls. Turn 4♥, opponent checks. You hold 8♠7♠ (one pair). What is the correct strategy in position?

A) Bet (value)
B) Check (pot control)
C) All-in
D) Fold

Question 3
BTN raises, BB calls. Flop Q♠ J♦ 8♣, opponent checks, you check. Turn 2♥, opponent checks. River 5♠, opponent checks. You hold A♣9♣ (ace-high). What is the correct strategy utilizing in-position advantage?

A) Check (showdown)
B) Bluff bet
C) All-in bluff
D) Fold

Question 4
BTN raises, BB calls. Flop A♠ 9♦ 4♣, opponent bets $8 (pot $13). You hold J♠T♠ (backdoor straight draw). What is the correct strategy in position?

A) Fold (too weak)
B) Call (to see the turn)
C) Raise (bluff)
D) All-in

Question 5
CO raises, BB calls. Flop K♠ Q♦ 7♣, opponent checks, you bet, opponent calls. Turn K♥, opponent checks, you bet, opponent calls. River 3♠, opponent checks. You hold A♣A♠ (overpair). What is the correct strategy in position?

A) Check (pot control)
B) Small value bet (1/3 pot)
C) Large value bet (2/3 pot)
D) All-in

Answers and Explanations

Question 1
Answer: B) Small size bet (1/3 pot)

Explanation: AK is an overcard, but since the opponent checked, it's a bluff opportunity. Utilizing the in-position advantage, a small bluff size can often induce a fold. Even if called, if an A or K comes on the turn, it becomes a strong hand.

Question 2
Answer: B) Check (pot control)

Explanation: 77 is a weak one pair, and with K, T on the board, the opponent likely has a stronger pair. Being in position, you can check back to keep the pot small and see the river for free. Betting on the turn is likely to only get calls from stronger hands.

Question 3
Answer: B) Bluff bet

Explanation: Since the opponent checked on the flop, turn, and river, they likely have a very weak hand. A9 is ace-high with low showdown value, so bluffing is more advantageous. Seize the opportunity to take the pot by utilizing your in-position advantage.

Question 4
Answer: B) Call (to see the turn)

Explanation: JT is currently weak, but it has a backdoor straight draw, and being in position, you can call to see the turn. If the opponent checks on the turn, a bluff opportunity arises, and if a J or T comes, you make a pair. Utilize the advantages of being in position.

Question 5
Answer: C) Large value bet (2/3 pot)

Explanation: AA is a very strong hand, and since the opponent check-called on the flop and turn, they likely have hands like KQ or Kx. Although another K came on the river, potentially giving the opponent trips, AA is still a strong hand. In position, make a large value bet to get more chips.