So you read a couple poker books and you think you can beat every opponent at your table. You know everything about starting hand requirements and pot odds. Guess what? Everyone else has read the same books and is playing the same way as you. In order to take your game to the next level, you have to learn the importance of position. Position basically means that you are last to act on every street. The button designates who will be last to act on each round of betting. If you decide to become a better player, you will have to start playing more hands. Position gives you the great chance to raise a wide range of hands as your opponents have to act first on every round of betting. You could raise the pot with a complete garbage hand like 68 and have your opponent call with pocket aces. If you hit your two pair on the flop, the wired aces will probably go down in flames. Even if you miss the flop completely, you could still bluff your opponent out of the pot. If you don't bluff your opponent out of the pot, you could still win by hitting two pair on the turn or river.

There are so many advantages to the player who knows how to raise in position. If I had it my way, I would never play a hand out of position. I would sit all day and raise my button with complete trash hands. Sometimes your opponents will catch onto your aggressive game and they will start to play back. When you notice this happening, it is time to change gears and play tight. Knowing when to change gears is the most important skill at the higher limits. When you learn how to play aggressive in position, you become a threat to everyone at the table.

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