Poker Table Position Names Explained: What Each Seat Is Called and How to Play It
Pros often say "I folded UTG" or "stole the blinds from CO" — these position names are poker's common language. Only when you understand what each seat is called and how to play it can you truly use positional advantage. This article explains them one by one, in preflop order of action.
In order of action, one by one
At a full table, preflop action starts at UTG and moves clockwise:
- UTG (Under the Gun): the first seat left of the big blind, acts first preflop, has the least information — the "earliest" position. Play only the strongest hands.
- UTG+1 / middle position (MP): the seats that follow, slightly more information, a slightly wider range, but still tight.
- Cutoff / CO: one seat right of the button, a good attacking position — often where you "steal the blinds" (raising with not-so-strong hands to make the blinds fold).
- Button / BTN: the dealer marker, acts last each round post-flop, the most advantageous seat at the table, with the widest playable range.
- Small blind / SB: posts the small blind, acts second-to-last post-flop. Poor position and already money invested — play cautiously.
- Big blind / BB: posts the big blind, acts last preflop (with the small advantage of "seeing others first, then deciding"), but very poor position post-flop.
Why knowing these names helps
Position names aren't just jargon; they map directly to "how wide to play":
- Earlier positions (UTG, MP): play tighter, only strong hands.
- Later positions (CO, BTN): play wider, attack more, steal more blinds.
- The two blind positions (SB, BB): already forced to invest, but poorly placed post-flop — treat them with their own approach.
Tie starting-hand ranges to position — "this hand is playable on the BTN, a fold UTG" — and your decisions get much clearer instantly.
In one line: a position's name is its instruction manual. Remember UTG earliest, BTN latest, the blinds most passive, and you've mastered the whole table's map of action.
How to get fluent
These names and their play styles internalize fastest through real play. Play a few rounds with play chips and notice which position you're in each hand and whether to tighten or widen. A few hundred hands in, "I'm on the CO now, I can steal a blind" becomes a reflex. More terms in the beginner glossary.