One of the most challenging positions to play in poker is under the gun. This term refers to the player sitting immediately to the left of the big blind and is the first to act in the pre-flop betting round. 

Being under the gun requires a different strategy than other positions at the table because you need more information about your opponents’ hands. This article will discuss practical strategies to help you play poker under the gun.

Photo by Pixabay

The Problem With Playing Under the Gun (UTG)

Playing from the UTG position in a poker game can present significant challenges. When you are the first to act, you have no information about the cards your opponents hold or their strategies. This position offers the least information compared to any other position at the table. 

The only certainty is that several players will be left to act after you, and any of them could hold a strong hand. Additionally, playing from under the gun puts you at a disadvantage regarding your position. If you get called or raised, you may have to play the remainder of the hand out of position, which can lessen your chances of winning. The primary issues associated with playing from under the gun are the lack of information and the positional disadvantage you may encounter.

Photo by Pixabay

Playing Aggressively

Being aggressive with high-ranking poker hands is a crucial strategy for playing profitably when you are under the gun in poker. Getting your money in as quickly as possible is essential when you have a hand that dominates pre-flop.ย 

It’s a common misconception that you should slow play a great hand like QQ under the gun to give others a chance to put money in the pot, but this is faulty logic. By neglecting to raise with a hand like QQ, you’re essentially saying that you don’t want to maximize your expected value and settle for less. 

It’s almost always more profitable to raise than call when under the gun, except for holding small pocket pairs, which play best for set value. In this case, it’s a good idea to tone down the pre-flop pot-building, but open limping is not recommended as it is a transparent play and makes it difficult to win the pot unless you hit something.

Pre-flop

Playing poker from under the gun will likely face challenges as you need more information about your opponents’ hands and have a positional disadvantage. You must select a tight range of hands to establish a solid UTG poker strategy

When opening from UTG, it is unlikely that you will pick up the blinds, and you will typically face resistance from at least one player. If you are 3-bet by one of the players, your decision on how to proceed will depend on the strength of your hand and the position of the 3-bettor. It is advisable to fold weaker hands from your UTG range and continue with the strongest ones. 

Depending on the opponent and your table image, you may 4-bet or call with stronger hands. If you are 3-bet by a player in the blinds, you should consider that you will have a position after the flop, which means that you might call with a broader range to hit a favorable flop. However, if the player is competent, they are less likely to 3-bet lightly from the blinds.

Photo by Pixabay

Against Callers on the Flop

When opponents just call your raise from UTG, they usually won’t have a monster hand. They will typically 3-bet their strongest hands, such as pocket Aces, to get you to commit more chips pre-flop. Their range will be capped, meaning they will have few super-strong hands.

If the flop favors your opening range, such as containing high cards or Aces, you should continue betting even if you’re out of position. It will be challenging for your opponents to bluff you later on these boards. However, some boards are better for the calling range, and it could be better to c-bet on them.

Having some non-premium hands in your UTG range is essential to keep your opponents guessing. This way, you can still play on unfavorable board textures and occasionally surprise your opponents with a monster hand.

Exercise caution on unfavorable boards, even with a pre-flop premium hand like Kings or Aces. Not only is the flop bad for you, but there are also many turn and river cards that you’ll dislike, so it’s best to exercise pot control.

Playing in 3-Bet Pots

When a poker player decides to 3-bet your UTG open, it indicates that they likely hold a strong hand. Even if this isn’t the case, it’s the impression they are trying to create. Dealing with a 3-bet when the other player has a position can be challenging. They have the advantage of position and initiative and represent strength.

If you don’t have a strong hand, such as AJs or better, and someone in position 3-bets you, it’s best to fold and move on. You may need to adjust if they are overly aggressive and do this often. However, against an average solid player, it’s okay to get involved with hands such as weaker Aces and Broadway. 

On the other hand, with strong hands, you can sometimes see the flop instead of 4-betting. This is not just to avoid running into monsters but also to make your opponents aware that you are capable of it. When you call their 3-bet, they cannot immediately assume you have a weaker hand. You could have aces or AKs.

On the flop, let them continue to lead and tell their story. Depending on how well you connect with the flop, the stack-to-pot ratio, and your reads, you can decide whether to call, fold, or raise their continuation bet. It’s important to remember that you should generally let the opponent 3-bet aggressively. This allows them to bluff more chips or commit themselves to a pot, making it difficult for them to escape once you decide to raise.

Conclusion

Playing poker under the gun can be challenging, but there are strategies you can use to maximize your success. When opening from UTG, having a strong range and being selective with the hands you play is essential. When facing a 3-bet from a player in position, it’s best to fold weaker hands and continue with a strong range. Allow the 3-bettor to keep the aggression and make decisions based on your reads and stack-to-pot ratio.