button

The button (BTN) is the seat marked by the dealer button. Preflop, BTN acts before the two blinds (SB, BB); postflop, BTN acts after every other player — which makes BTN always IP postflop.

Detailed Explanation

BTN is the most valuable seat in poker because:

1. Absolute postflop position: last to act on every street, IP against every opponent
2. Second-to-last preflop position (only SB/BB act after you): the widest open range
3. Postflop pot control: can check back at high frequency, delay-cbet, and thin value bet
4. Bluff efficiency: opponents OOP, bluffs succeed more easily

Empirical data: in mainstream win-rate stats, BTN is the only seat that is consistently +bb/100 out of six positions. Most pros run 8-15 bb/100 on the button — far above any other position.

BTN range characteristics:

• Open range ~40%: 22+, A2s+, K3s+, Q7s+, J7s+, T7s+, 98s, ATo+, KTo+, QTo+, JTo
• 3bet range 8-12%: polarized (QQ+/AK + blocker-suited connectors)
• Narrow call-open range: lean toward 3bet or fold

Common Use Cases

• Steal the blinds: only SB/BB defend after a BTN open, and blind fold rate is high
• Isolation: with no one behind you, a limper triggers an immediate iso
• 3bet bluff: pressure mid-position opens with the bluff portion of your 3bet range
• Postflop IP advantage: every postflop decision benefits from positional dividend