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Button Play
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Play The Button In Fixed Limit Texas Holdem
Tommy Angelo has a saying "It used to be, if I had a pair and the button I was playing it. Now it's more like, if I have the button, I'm playing it." While I won't endorse this exact strategy, it is important to bear in mind the tremendous value that position can confer onto your hand. By acting in late position, or last position, you get much more information on your opponents and can use the information learnt to your advantage. This part of our poker training guide explains how to play ther button. If it is folded to you on the button, and you are going to play, you must raise. Limping on the button first in is a foolish idea; why give the blinds a chance to beat you for free? Since the blinds have exactly two random hands, you can raise with a fair number of hands. J10o, A2o, any pocket pair and suited connectors 87 and up can all be raised fairly freely, although if the blinds are notorious blind defenders you may want more conservative standards, possibly sticking to higher pocket pairs and A-J, A-Q and A-K. In multi-way pots the button is still a hearty advantage because of the post-flop information you will gain. Further you are able to see almost every player act before you pre-flop, so you have a solid idea of what you are up against, strong raises normally indicate strong hands, and typically a pre-flop limp would indicate a weaker hand. For that reason you can play more hands, especially suited connectors and ace-x suited although of course you still want to avoid these hands if it is raised and there are not many players involved.
Despite the advantages of the button, it is still important to maintain disciplined play. Understand the advantages position gives you, but don't take it too far, or you will find the button costing you more than it is worth!
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Poker Guides
2012 U.S. Poker Rooms