Under the Gun (UTG)
Under the gun, written UTG, is the player who sits directly after the big blind and acts first before the flop. It is the earliest and weakest position, because every other player acts after you.
The simple explanation
After the blinds are posted, the player to the left of the big blind has to decide first: fold, call or raise. At a nine-handed table, the next seats are UTG+1 and UTG+2. Because you know nothing about the other players' hands, you play only strong hands from here.
A closer look
UTG ranges are the tightest, since eight opponents still have to act. Raising ranges widen as the seats move toward the button. After the flop, UTG acts after the blinds. In six-max games, UTG is the first seat and the next is the hijack. UTG is also the usual seat for a straddle.
A practical example
At a nine-handed table, the first player to the left of the big blind opens with pocket jacks and raises. He is under the gun.
Full explanation
Under the gun, written UTG, is the player who sits directly after the big blind and acts first before the flop. It is the earliest and weakest position, because every other player acts after you.
Under the gun is the first position to act before the flop.
It is the player who sits left of the big blind.
It is the worst position, so you should play tight.
The next seats are called UTG+1 and UTG+2.
Alternative spelling: Under the Gun, UTG, under-the-gun
Under the gun
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
Player D is under the gun, immediately clockwise after the big blind. This is the first seat to act before the flop.
Read the example transcript
- Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
Player D is under the gun, immediately clockwise after the big blind. This is the first seat to act before the flop.
- Player A BTN AAce of clubs (Ac)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 200 · In this round 0
- Player B SB KKing of hearts (Kh)JJack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player C BB 99 of clubs (9c)99 of hearts (9h) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Player D UTG 77 of hearts (7h)66 of hearts (6h) · Stack 200 · In this round 0
- Player E HJ 55 of clubs (5c)55 of diamonds (5d) · Stack 200 · In this round 0
- Player F CO 1010 of spades (Ts)88 of spades (8s) · Stack 200 · In this round 0
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.