Poker Dealer Button
/ Poker Dealer Puck
Professional "Deep
Etched Printed" Casino Quality
(We get them from the same company as Bellagio & The Mirage)
What is a Poker Dealer Button?
Before I started studying about Texas Hold'em and learning how to play properly, I thought all I had to do was learn the starting hands and what to do after the flop. I knew absolutely nothing about one of the most vital aspects of the game, which is position. Position probably ranks second only to starting cards in importance in deciding whether or not to play your hand.
Most low limit players do not take the time to learn about the value of their position to the button and how it relates to which hands to play. Understanding tables position is an important concept if you want to be a winning player.
Your position is determined by where your are sitting in relation to the dealers button. Unlike games like stud, where the betting order changes with each betting round the order is fixed in Texas Hold'em. Before the flop the person to the left of the big blind bets first. After the flop the first active player to the left of the dealer button acts first. If you are in early position you will remain there for all betting rounds. If you play a weak or marginal hand in early position before the flop you are at risk of getting raised by those acting after you. There is also a possibility of multiple raises. If you decide to fold you have cost yourself a bet without ever seeing any other cards. Some hands are drawing hands that play better with many opponents calling. If you have to act first you have no idea how many players will call or fold.
When you are in the late position you can get an idea of the strength of you opponent's hands by how they play. If there have been no raises you can play weaker starting hands and hope that the flop will fit your hand. After the flop you have more information to help you decide how to play. You can raise if your opponents bet, bet if they check or decide to check to gain a free card. If there have been bets or raises before you and your hand is weak you can fold.
The person "On the Button" gets to act last except for the first betting round, which starts with the first player to the left of the big blind. A player acting first is referred to as being "under the gun." After the flop the player posting the small blind is under the gun if they are still in the hand. The dealer button rotates after each hand so your position changes after each hand is completed..
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