In MPL Poker cash games, understanding and utilizing table position is one of the most underrated yet powerful skills a player can master. Position determines the order in which you act during a hand, and having this awareness can drastically increase your win rate. Mastering positional play allows you to make more informed decisions, apply pressure at the right times, and extract maximum value from strong hands.
What Does Position Mean in Poker?
Position in poker refers to your place at the table relative to the dealer button. The closer you are to acting last in each betting round, the better your position is considered. The basic positions include:
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Early Position (EP): Seats immediately after the big blind
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Middle Position (MP): Seats between EP and the cutoff
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Late Position (LP): Cutoff and button
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Blinds: Small blind and big blind, which act last preflop but first postflop
In cash games, where stacks are deeper and decisions matter more postflop, acting after your opponents gives you critical information and a tactical edge.
Why Late Position is Powerful
Late position, especially the button, is considered the most advantageous seat in poker. When you act last, you get to see how all other players act before making your decision. This positional advantage lets you:
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Steal pots with weaker hands
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Control the size of the pot more effectively
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Gain insight into opponents’ hand strengths
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Avoid tricky spots with marginal hands
In MPL Poker cash games, late position allows aggressive and observant players to pick up extra chips consistently.
Adjusting Hand Ranges by Position
Your preflop hand selection should change depending on your position. In early position, play tighter and stick to premium hands like AA, KK, QQ, and AK. As you move toward the button, widen your range to include hands like suited connectors, small pairs, and suited aces.
Here’s a simplified breakdown:
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Early Position: Strongest hands only
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Middle Position: Add suited broadways and medium pairs
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Late Position: Open with a wide range, including suited connectors and weaker aces
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Blinds: Defend with caution and consider pot odds
Adapting your strategy this way prevents costly mistakes and sets you up for stronger postflop play.
Exploiting Opponents with Positional Advantage
In cash games on MPL Poker, many players fail to adjust their play based on position. You can exploit this by:
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Raising more frequently when in late position against limpers
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Applying pressure to players in early positions with continuation bets
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Floating flops (calling with weak hands) in position to bluff on later streets
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Playing more aggressively postflop when in position against passive opponents
Recognizing when your position allows you to take control of the hand is a hallmark of a winning player.
Postflop Positional Benefits
Position continues to matter after the flop. Being in position lets you:
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See how your opponents act before you
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Choose whether to value bet, bluff, or check
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Pot control with marginal hands
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Set traps or extract more value with strong hands
For example, when you’re last to act and the board checks around, it’s often an invitation to bluff. On MPL Poker, taking advantage of these spots builds long-term profits.
FAQ
1. How can I tell which position I’m in during a cash game on MPL Poker?
Your position is determined by your seat relative to the dealer button, which rotates every hand. If you’re near the dealer or last to act, you’re in a late position. If you’re first to act after the big blind, you’re in early position.
2. Why should my hand selection change based on position?
In early position, you’re at a disadvantage since you must act before most players, increasing the risk of facing strong hands. Late position allows more flexibility because you act with more information.
3. Is position more important in cash games than in tournaments?
Position is critical in both formats, but it becomes even more impactful in cash games due to deeper stacks and more complex postflop play. It allows for better control over bet sizing, pot management, and player exploitation.
