What is OOP in Poker

Introduction

In Poker, playing ‘Out of Position’ (OOP) is a challenge every player faces at some point. This situation often disadvantages you, as you lack the crucial information from your opponents' actions.

This article will explore what OOP means and how to turn these tough spots into profitable opportunities.

What is OOP in Poker?

OOP refers to the situation where you must act before your opponent during a betting round. It gives them the advantage of seeing your action and making their decisions accordingly.

Being OOP demands disciplined play because your opponents in position (IP) have an edge regarding information and control over the pot.

What Does It Mean to Be Out of Position?

In Poker, position determines the order of play. Acting before your opponent (being OOP) leaves you at a disadvantage because:

• You must make decisions without knowing what your opponent plans to do.
• Opponents can adapt their strategy based on their actions.

Positions:

1. Blinds Postflop: The small blind (SB) and big blind (BB) are usually OOP after the flop, as they act before other players in most scenarios.
2. Early Position (EP): Players in EP must act before those in the middle position (MP), late position (LP), and the blinds.
3. Defending Against a Preflop Raiser: Calling a raise OOP (for example - from the blinds against a late-position open) often leaves you at a positional disadvantage post-flop.

Challenges of Playing OOP

Being OOP presents multiple challenges:

1. Lack of Information

You must decide without seeing how your opponent will act. For instance, if you check, they can bet or check behind. If you bet, they can raise, call, or fold.

2. Pot Control

In-position players can control the pot size by checking behind or betting smaller amounts, leaving you less control over the hand’s direction.

3. Difficult Bluffing and Semi-Bluffing

Bluffing OOP is riskier, as opponents can often call or raise, knowing they will have the final say.

4. Defensive Play

OOP often forces you into a defensive posture, where you’re calling or folding more frequently than betting or raising.

How to Adjust Your Strategy for OOP

Here’s how to make adjustments in your strategy when you play from OOP:

1. Tighten Your Preflop Range

When OOP, avoid playing marginal hands. Focus on strong hands that are easier to play post-flop and have better equity.

Example:
You are in the SB, facing a raise from the button. Instead of flat-calling with a hand like A9o, which has reverse implied odds, you can fold or 3-bet with hands like AK, AQ, or strong-suited connectors (KQs, JTs).

2. Use Aggression to Take Control

Preflop aggression through 3-betting and 4-betting can help you take the initiative, even when OOP. This forces opponents to play defensively and reduces their positional advantage.

Example:
You are in the BB, and the cutoff is raised to 2.5 BB. Instead of calling with JJ, you 3-bet to 8 BB, making it harder for the cutoff to play effectively post-flop.

3. Be Selective with Continuation Bets (C-Bets)

OOP c-betting should be done thoughtfully. Avoid c-betting 100% of the time. Instead, assess the situation on the board, your range, and your opponent’s style of play.

Examples:

• Dry Flop (for example - A♠ K♣ 5♦): C-bet with high equity hands like AQ or AK, as your opponent has fewer draws to exploit.
• Wet Flop (e.g., 9♥ 7♥ 6♣): Check with hands like QQ or JJ and only bet with strong draws or made hands like T8s.

4. Use Check-Raises Wisely

Check-raising is a powerful move that allows you to regain control of the pot while applying pressure on your opponent. It is especially effective on wet boards where your range includes strong draws.

Example:
The board is 8♦ 6♣ 3♠, and you are in the BB with 7♠ 5♠. Your opponent bets, and you check-raise, leveraging your draw and the possibility of a strong hand.

5. Control the Pot Size

Avoid overcommitting with marginal hands when OOP. Play cautiously to minimize losses when your equity is uncertain.

Example:
You call a preflop raise with K♣ Q♣ from the BB. The flop comes Q♥ 9♦ 3♠. Instead of betting big, make a smaller bet or check-call to keep the pot manageable.

Postflop Play from OOP

At Flop:

• Strong Hands: Bet for value or check-raise to deny equity to draws.
• Marginal Hands: Opt for check calls rather than leading.
• Draws: Use semi-bluffs to apply pressure when you have strong equity.

At Turn:

• Evaluate your opponent’s playing style. Tighter opponents are less likely to bluff.
• Double-barrel (betting again on the turn) if the board favours your range.

At River:

• Bluff cautiously unless you are confident the opponent will fold.
• Value bet thinly when you believe you have the best hand but can still be called worse.

Examples of Playing OOP

Scenario 1: Defending the BB

• Preflop: The button raises to 2.5 BB, and you call with 9♠ 8♠.
• Flop: 10♠ 7♣ 2♥ (Open-ended straight draw).
• You check, the button bets 4 BB, and you check-raise to 12 BB.
• This applies pressure while building the pot if you hit your draw.

Scenario 2: Small Blind vs. Early Position

• Preflop: UTG raises to 3 BB, and you 3-bet to 9 BB with A♠ K♠.
• Flop: K♦ J♠ 3♣ (Top pair, top kicker).
• Bet 60% of the pot for value. If raised, decide based on the opponent’s gameplay and stack sizes.

The Importance of Reading Opponents

Adapting to different opponents is crucial when OOP:

1. Against Tight-Aggressive (TAG) Players

• Narrow their range: Recognize that TAG players often have strong hands, so avoid bluffing into them unless the board heavily favours your range.
• Use pot control: Check-call with marginal hands to keep the pot small and extract value when you hit strong hands.
• Attack their caution: Exploit their tendency to fold to aggression in unfavourable spots, especially on scary boards (for example - four-to-a-straight or flush).

2. Against Loose-Aggressive (LAG) Players

• Trap with strong hands: Allow LAG players to build the pot aggressively by check-calling or check-raising on favourable boards.
• Counter with aggression: If you sense they are bluffing or betting too wide, a timely check-raise or lead bet can disrupt their momentum.
• Stay patient: Don’t get drawn into unnecessary bluffs or overplay marginal hands; wait for opportunities to capitalize on their mistakes.

3. Against Passive Players

• Value-bet relentlessly: Passive players tend to call with weaker hands, so focus on extracting value with your made hands.
• Don’t bluff: They are unlikely to fold marginal hands, making bluffs less effective.
• Control the pot: Since they rarely apply pressure, they dictate the game's pace.

4. Against Calling Stations

• Play straightforwardly: Avoid bluffing and focus on extracting value when you have strong hands.
• Size up your bets: Larger bet sizes can capitalize on their willingness to call, maximizing profit.
• Don’t overcommit to draws: Chasing draws against calling stations can be costly since they won't fold often.

5. Against Maniacs

• Trap them: Check-call with strong hands to let them bluff into you.
• Tighten your range: Play premium hands and avoid getting involved with weak holdings.
• Let them hang themselves: Maniacs often overextend, so don’t try to bluff or match their aggression without a strong hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Out of Position (OOP) mean in Poker?

A: In Poker, being ‘Out of Position’ refers to playing a hand from a position where you must act before your opponents in a betting round. This is common in the small blind, big blind, and early positions. Acting first gives you less information about your opponents’ actions, making OOP play more difficult.

How to play OOP Poker?

To play effectively OOP, tighten your preflop range and use aggressive opening bets. Postflop, be mindful of bet sizing and often use smaller bets to control the pot. Implement check-raises to disrupt opponents' strategies and defend by calling more often with strong equity hands.

What are the common mistakes players make when making OOP?

Common OOP mistakes include playing too many hands, which leaves you vulnerable to aggressive opponents. Another mistake is failing to bet or raise aggressively when you have a strong hand or a good draw. Additionally, many players fall into predictable patterns, making it easier for opponents in position to exploit their weaknesses.

Conclusion

While OOP situations present a clear disadvantage, they also offer opportunities for innovation. With practice and a solid understanding of your opponent’s tactics, you can turn these challenging spots into profitable ones, ultimately making your game difficult to exploit.