The worse position you can find yourself in is the 1st position, immediately to the left of the big blind. This position is nicknamed “under the gun” and here's why it's a bad spot:

• You'll be the first to act, without having the opportunity to get a read on your opponents.
• Because you go first, all other players will have the opportunity to read you, raise you, trap you or bluff.
• It is very difficult to see a cheap flop. If you limp in with a weak hand, and anyone else raises, you'll often be force to fold. Guess what, you just threw money away.

How to play when you're under the gun

Play tight! Patience is key. Wait for a great starting hand and when you catch one, you have two options. The first option is to open the betting round with a raise as this will cause many opponents to fold. This play indicates strength. Keep pushing people hard on subsequent betting rounds, unless your read tells you that you are beaten.

The second option is to trap by limping in, but only consider this play with a monster starting hand. It's a risky play because others will try to limp in as well, and although someone may raise, some of the limpers will call. That means when the flop comes, there will be more players involved in the hand then there would have been had you raised instead. If you hit the flop, or have top pair and the board isn't risky, then it's time to push people out with a significant raise. If you didn't hit, or don't have top pair, you're best chance is a draw and the odds are against you, especially with a lot of players in the hand. In that case, consider folding if the price of poker gets too high. Bluffing would likely not work because you indicated a weak hand when limping in on the initial betting round.

Ultimately, you should find that when you're in early positions, you'll fold very frequently and play tight. When you get towards the last positions, on the button and the blinds, you'll be more aggressive and play more hands.

Good luck!

Read part two of this article.