In the game of poker, holding the button (BTN) position is considered the most advantageous, as the player in this seat is always able to act last after the flop, a situation referred to as being in position .
Additionally, the term button can denote the small circular object used at the poker table to signify which seat is currently in the button position.
The button is placed directly to the left of the cutoff (CO) and immediately to the right of the small blind (SB).
This guide will cover several key topics -
- What makes the button such a lucrative position in poker?
- Why doesn't the button act last in the preflop round?
- What is the suggested range of hands to open raise when in the button position?
- How should we respond to open raises from the button?
- Do all poker formats have a button?
- Is the player sitting in the button seat responsible for dealing the cards?
What Makes the Button a Lucrative Position in Poker?
The button position is deemed the most profitable in poker mainly for two reasons: Firstly, it ensures that we are always in position (acting last after the flop). Secondly, it provides an excellent opportunity to seize the blinds preflop if the action folds to us. Even if the blinds choose to play, we still maintain positional advantage postflop. A significant portion of a skilled player’s winnings typically originates from this position.
What is the Reason the Button Doesn't Act Last Preflop?
You might wonder why the big blind has the last action preflop instead of the button. Essentially, the button does still act last during the preflop betting because the small blind and big blind are viewed as having already taken action by contributing the blinds. As they have already placed a bet, they must act again during the preflop betting which creates the illusion that they act last. This phenomenon is known as relative position in poker.
What Range of Hands Should We Open Raise from the Button?
Typically, proficient players will open raise between 45% to 55% of their hands from the button. Nonetheless, there are scenarios where a skilled player may expand this range to cover nearly all hands (potentially even 100%). This is likely in cases where the players in the blinds are too tight or inexperienced. Generally, the less skilled the players in the blinds, the more boldly we can attempt to steal the blinds.
How Should We Approach an Open Raise from the Button?
When facing an open raise from the button, it indicates that we are either in the small blind or big blind positions. As average players often raise with a wide array of hands (potentially 50%), we should aim to defend ourselves robustly from the blinds. This would typically include re-raising (3-betting) aggressively from both blinds and calling with a broad range from the big blind. However, be cautious about cold-calling too frequently from the small blind since the big blind could leverage this position to make the play unprofitable by squeezing.
Do All Poker Formats have a Button?
It's worth noting that not all forms of poker utilize a button for determining the order of betting. An example of this is the Stud variants of poker, which base the betting order only on the players' up cards, rather than the button's position.
Is the Player in the Button Seat Expected to Deal the Cards?
Often referred to as the dealer position, the player in the button seat traditionally would deal the cards to everyone at the table. However, this is usually not the case for two reasons. Firstly, in casinos and poker tournaments, a designated dealer who is separate from the players typically handles card dealing. Secondly, in home games, one individual may be more proficient at dealing and take on that responsibility. A benefit of rotating the dealer in home games is that it can help maintain fairness and lessen the chances of any dishonest dealings.
Summary of the Button
The button represents the most valuable and consequential position at the poker table. It's crucial to engage actively when in this seat, often with a relatively broad range of starting hands.