Poker Table Position: Getting Sandwiched

Observing Opponents, Table Position
December 12 2008

Position plays an important role in the game of poker. Sometimes position can be a real liability. One situation where your position can work against you is when you’re getting sandwiched between two players. This situation can be costly if you don’t recognize that it’s happening to you, and often ends up with you folding away valuable chips.

Getting sandwiched means that a player to your right made a bet which you called; then you got raised by someone to your left. You’re usually on the draw, and would prefer to stay in the hand as cheaply as possible, but the cost keeps going up after you call a bet.

If you’re in a situation where there was a raiser to your left pre-flop, and a player to your right bets out, you may want to fold a draw that you would normally call with because the pre-flop aggressor could easily raise the bet. If you call the bet you’ll either have to forfeit the amount you called, or commit yourself to the draw.

If you do commit to the hand, you might as well reraise it yourself. Just save that move for a situation where you’re drawing to the nut hand.

• More poker tips for: Observing Opponents, Table Position
• Complete poker tips archive

Learn all about Table Position in the Bodog Poker Guide.