Seat names describe where a player sits relative to the button, which is the only fixed reference point at the table. The names are the same in card rooms and online, and they are used constantly in strategy discussion.
This page is the lookup table. For what the seats mean in play, see table position.
Nine-Handed Table
| Short form | Seat | What it means in play |
|---|---|---|
| SB | Small blind | Posts the smaller forced bet and acts first on every street after the flop. |
| BB | Big blind | Posts the full opening bet and is last to act before the flop. |
| UTG | Under the gun | First to act before the flop, with eight players still to decide. |
| UTG+1 | Under the gun plus one | Still early position; opening ranges stay tight. |
| MP | Middle position | Fewer players behind, so slightly wider opens become reasonable. |
| LJ | Lojack | The seat two to the right of the cutoff, often grouped with middle position. |
| HJ | Hijack | Late position proper; steals start to become profitable here. |
| CO | Cutoff | Acts directly before the button and opens a wide range. |
| BTN | Button | Last to act on every post-flop street, the most profitable seat at the table. |
Shorter Tables
| Table size | Seats, in order of action before the flop |
|---|---|
| Nine-handed | UTG, UTG+1, MP, LJ, HJ, CO, BTN, SB, BB |
| Six-handed | UTG, MP, CO, BTN, SB, BB |
| Four-handed | CO, BTN, SB, BB |
| Three-handed | BTN, SB, BB |
| Heads-up | BTN (small blind), BB |
Position Groups
- Early position
- The seats immediately left of the big blind. Many players left to act, so ranges are tight.
- Middle position
- The seats between early and late. Moderate ranges, and the most situational group.
- Late position
- The hijack, cutoff and button. Wide ranges and most of the stealing.
- The blinds
- Last to act before the flop, first afterwards, and the only seats that have already invested.
- In position
- Acting after an opponent on the current street, regardless of seat name.
- Out of position
- Acting before them. The disadvantage lasts the whole hand after the flop.
Seats in Games Without a Button
Stud games have no button at all. On third street the bring-in is assigned by the exposed card, and from fourth street onwards the best exposed hand acts first.
- Seven-card stud: the lowest card posts the bring-in; the best board acts first afterwards.
- Razz: the highest card posts the bring-in; the lowest board acts first afterwards.
- Because the acting order changes street by street, position is something to be won rather than inherited.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does UTG mean?
Under the gun: the seat immediately left of the big blind, first to act before the flop at a full table.
What is the difference between the hijack and the lojack?
The hijack is two seats right of the button and the lojack is three. Both names come from stealing the blinds before the cutoff and button get the chance.
Who acts first after the flop?
The first active player to the left of the button, which is normally the small blind. The button always acts last.