Updated on April 17, 2025
What is the Hijack in Poker?
Before diving into the details, it's essential to first grasp the significance of position at the poker table.
Position in poker is where you sit at the table.
Every seat at the table is uniquely identified by a name, and certain spots offer a better chance for profit and winning potential compared to others.
So what exactly does 'hijack' refer to in poker? It designates one of the more strategic seats that can significantly influence your gameplay.
Where is the Hijack?
Now that you are aware of the hijack as a specific seat identity, you may want to focus on shifting your inquiry from what is the hijack in poker to where does the hijack sit in poker.
When learning how to play poker It's important to note that the hijack seat is located two positions before the dealer button.
To clarify further, here's a well-organized list of seat positions:
Below are the designations and definitions for various positions at the poker table:
- BUTTON – the player in this position is recognized by the white 'Dealer' button placed in front of them.
- SMALL BLIND – this player holds the seat directly to the left of the button.
- BIG BLIND – this player occupies the seat to the left of the small blind.
- UNDER-THE-GUN – this player is also seated to their left. The term sounds intimidating since they are the first to act before the flop, which can create significant pressure on the game!
- UNDER-THE-GUN + 1 – this player is positioned immediately to their left.
- MIDDLE POSITION – this player takes the seat further left.
- LOJACK – this player is also seated to their left.
- HIJACK – this player sits to the left or two positions to the right of the button.
- CUTOFF – this position is to the left or adjacent to the right of the button.
Here’s an arrangement of the poker positions ranked from the least advantageous to the most favorable:
- Small Blind
- Big Blind
- Under-the-gun
- Under-the-gun + 1
- Middle Position
- Lojack
- Hijack
- Cutoff
- Button
Do you see a trend? The seating order progresses from the least to the most advantageous! The earlier you have to make decisions in a hand, poker hand , the worse your position is.
For more insights, check out our article here: Poker Positions Explained: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners
How Should We Play in the Hijack?
Playing from the hijack position involves a combination of tight and loose strategies. You don't want to take excessive risks, as there are still players who may be holding very strong hands waiting to act after you. Being caught off-guard isn't advisable.
Nonetheless, this position is still deemed quite beneficial as it allows you to act from a position that is nearly late. This means poker hands probability you have the opportunity to broaden your range of raises slightly before the flop.
For instance, when holding a pair of eights in the Under-the-Gun position, raising can be intimidating, as there's a high likelihood that someone behind you has a better hand.
Now, envision a scenario where all players have folded to you in the hijack, and you're looking at that pair of eights. Should you raise? Definitely!
Since only the Cutoff, Button, and Blinds remain to act, your pocket eights could very well be the strongest hand in play.
It's generally easier to contend with a few opponents rather than facing a full table.
What Is the Recommended Range for Open-Raising from the Hijack?
Good GTO poker Players often choose to open the top 18% of hands from the hijack seat. You might be able to expand your open-raising range if the Button or Cutoff players are overly conservative, or if there are less skilled players in the blinds.
While 18% may seem minor, it significantly surpasses the playing standards of earlier positions, where you'd typically only want to engage with the highest 10% of hands!
Additionally, you can relax your standards and smoothly shift your approach if the opponents behind you aren’t poised to challenge you with difficult choices.
Why is Calling from the Hijack Considered Risky?
The hijack position can be thrilling because it’s where you truly begin to leverage your positional advantage over other players. You will observe that you can open-raise more frequently here.
However, making a call from the hijack isn't as enjoyable.
There are two major issues:
- If a player raises from early or middle positions before you, there's a strong chance they possess a robust hand.
- When you opt to call a raise in the hijack position, the players in the Button or Cutoff may also decide to call — both of whom will have the advantage of position over you after the flop.
Navigating the hand becomes more complex if the Button or Cutoff chooses to call behind you. On top of that, if they stay in the hand, you may find it more difficult to extract value. When you decide to bet in front of others, it could become apparent that your hand is strong.
Executing a poker bluff You might also find it challenging when players behind you decide to call.
While you’re encouraged to open-raise more liberally from the hijack, your calling range should remain much tighter.
Why is it Called the Hijack Position?
If the situation at the hijack has not seen any raises by the time the button acts, they may opt to raise with speculative cards (think: less appealing hands). They recognize that it’s improbable that others hold exceptionally strong hands.
So, the theory goes like this:
- The button's strategy may involve raising with mediocre or weak cards simply because it seems that no one else is showing interest.
- The cutoff player, recognizing this tactic, might decide to 'cut off' the button by raising themselves!
- Alternatively, the player in the hijack position, aware of the cutoff’s strategy to challenge the button, could preemptively raise before the cutoff has a chance!
This is why we observe the seating sequence of hijack, cutoff, and button.
Conclusion: The Importance of the Hijack Position in Poker
The hijack seat represents a potent tactical position, striking a balance between early and late play strategies. Although caution is still advisable — especially with aggressive opponents behind you — the hijack allows a greater flexibility to raise with a wider variety of hands.
It serves as a spot where skilled players can seize control in various situations, exerting pressure, stealing blinds, and taking advantage of their positional leverage. types of poker games Recognizing when and how to raise, as well as knowing when to refrain from calling from the hijack, can significantly impact your success at the table over time.
Thus, the next time you find yourself occupying the hijack seat, REMEMBER that it's a prime chance to 'hijack' the action and assert your influence over the hand.
Amanda authored 'A Girl's Guide to Poker', aimed at making poker welcoming and accessible to all. In 2021, she reached the final table at the World Series of Poker, where she and her father achieved third place in the WSOP tag team event.
