Lojack Position Poker

What many newbies don’t know is that poker table positions often have a major impact on their strategy. The term ‘position’ refers to the order in which players are allowed to act. Each position in poker comes with advantages and disadvantages, though table positions are largely tied to how a poker player chooses to build their hand when the action folds to them.

With this article, we are going to deep dive into one particular position — the LoJack.

WHAT DOES LOJACK MEAN IN POKER?

The LoJack position in poker can be found to the direct right of the HiJack position. In a six-handed game, this position is commonly referred to as under-the-gun. This term refers to the player that is first to act, and in fact, the LoJack position is also a designated early position. That is unless you are playing a full-ring/ nine-handed game with early positions on the poker table already, and so, the LoJack would be one of the middle positions instead.

ADVANTAGES OF THE LOJACK POSITION

There are a few benefits that come with being in the LoJack when playing poker.

• Players in the LoJack can set the tone for the rest of the game round, which is very advantageous if they have a strong hand.

• Under-the-gun players will often know immediately whether they have a strong enough hand to enter the pot.
• Helps reduce the risk to their bankroll.

DISADVANTAGES OF THE LOJACK POSITION

Unfortunately, the LoJack/under-the-gun is not the best position in poker:

• It faces strong open-raising ranges.
• Earlier positions limit your chances of stealing from the big blind and the small blind due to the presence of the HiJack, cutoff and button.
• Early positions also subject you to the highest competition with minimal resorts.
• You have less knowledge of the state of your opponents’ hands, so you wouldn’t be able to make an as informed decision as, say, two players who sit in late positions.
• The LoJack acts sixth from the last pre-flop, so cold calls can easily get overcalled or squeezed.
• Players are very likely to be out of position postflop.

Your best for surviving the LoJack table position is to open-raise.

LOJACK STRATEGY

Although being in the Lojack isn’t the greatest advantage, there may still be a strategy you can adopt:

• When allowed to open-raise, it is recommended to play around 13% of holdings.
• It is difficult to play aggressively because of the threats coming in from the HiJack, cutoff and button.
• While open-raising is the most profitable, you can also choose to attack open raises by cold calling or three-betting. But, the cutoff, button, HiJack, small blind or big blind may decide to cold-four bet pre-flop.
• Because of these threats, three-betting will not be a large part of your strategy.

Players in the LoJack must understand that they are not involved in the action in a poker game unless they hold a strong hand. The recommended cold call and three-bet frequency sits at an average of 4%.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM PLAYERS IN LOJACK POSITION?

If following the tips above, players in the LoJack will either most likely open raise as it is the most profitable; otherwise, they will fold. However, in the event that the LoJack player begins with a strong hand, they will be much more likely to act in later rounds.

Players can also choose to fight open raises if other positions do not decide to cold-four bet.

BEST PRE-FLOPS FOR LOJACK

When playing flop games like Texas Hold ’em Poker, there are specific hands you may want to keep an eye out for when in the LoJack seat.

With 169 different two-card combinations in a deck of cards, it’s safe to say that some poker starting hands are obviously better than others. Here are a few you can play with an unopened pot:

• QQ+
• JJ+
• TT+
• 77+
• AKs
• KJs

There are a greater number of hands that can be played from a late position than an early one, and the number of calls and raises by big blinds and small blinds greatly impacts how you play your hand. Keep these things in mind if you want a better chance of earning money.

SUMMARY

Being in a LoJack situation means you’ll have to act first, which is not the most advantageous of poker table positions to be in, as it largely affects your strategy and your likelihood of winning a poker game. Open-raising 13% of your holdings is often recommended, but you can also choose to attack if you are prepared for the threats made by big blinds and small blinds.

At the end of the day, it is up to you to decide how to act; just make sure you are always betting within your means. No matter what casino game you play, having a good bankroll management strategy will go a long way.