The phrase 'middle position' encompasses several seating arrangements at the poker table that act subsequent to the early betting positions during the preflop round.
In a short-handed game scenario, specifically 6-max, the phrase 'middle position' is exclusive to the hijack seat—thus, there's only one position to consider.
During full-ring poker games, 'middle position' can refer to the hijack , lojack , and MP1 (Middle Position 1). This means there are three distinct positions defined as middle positions within this framework.
This guide will cover the following topics -
- What is the origin of the term middle position in poker?
- How does middle position work in a 6-player poker game?
- Which seats are categorized as middle positions in full-ring poker?
- What constitutes a strong winrate from middle position?
- What strategies should we employ when facing open raises from middle position?
- Can we successfully steal blinds when situated in middle position?
- What level of aggression is appropriate for open-raising from middle position?
What is the Origin of the Term Middle Position in Poker?
The name middle position is derived from its situational placement at the table; it falls between early and late positions. The button and cutoff exemplify late positions, while under-the-gun (UTG) describes early positions. Therefore, the middle positions follow the UTG spots.
How Does Middle Position Work in 6-Handed Poker?
In a 6-handed poker format, middle position strictly refers to the hijack seat. Many players prefer to use the term middle position over hijack when discussing strategy in a 6-max setting. Position-wise, it is located directly to the right of the cutoff and immediately left of UTG .
Which Seats Are Categorized as Middle Positions in Full Ring Poker?
In full-ring poker, the three identified middle positions include the hijack , lojack , and mp1 (Middle Position 1). If players exit the game, the total number of middle positions may dip below three; for instance, a 7-handed setup ends up with two middle positions, while a 6-handed arrangement showcases just one.
What Constitutes a Strong Winrate from Middle Position?
While players do not anticipate exceptionally high winrates from the middle position, they do aim for positive results (since folding can be seen as break-even). A typical guideline would suggest a winrate around 10 to 15bb/100 hands from middle positions.
What Strategies Should We Employ When Facing Open Raises from Middle Position?
Typically, opens from middle position tend to be robust and warrant a respectful approach. We can consider cold-calling or three-betting against these opens, but it's advisable to adopt a stronger hand range in comparison to when defending against opens from later positions.
Can We Successfully Steal Blinds When Situated in Middle Position?
Middle positions are generally not regarded as the most favorable spots for attempting blind steals. Even though some scenarios may allow for this—particularly if tight players sit behind us—the usual strategy should involve open-raising only with strong hands.
What Level of Aggression is Appropriate for Open-Raising from Middle Position?
In a 6-handed game, seasoned players typically open-raise approximately 18% of their hands from the middle position (the hijack). When at a full-ring table, this percentage tightens due to the existence of the hijack plus two earlier positions. The average raise-first-in frequency for these positions hovers around 12%. Expanding our raising range beyond this percentage could jeopardize profitability as many players will still act after us preflop.
Middle Position – Final Pointers
Generally, it is wise to maintain a tight selection of hands from middle position since several players remain to act after you. When confronted with open raises from this spot, it's prudent to approach them cautiously, knowing that the opponent is unlikely to raise with weak hands.
