UTG (Under The Gun) — Poker Term Explained

In a nine-handed Texas Hold’em hand, UTG is the seat immediately left of the big blind and acts first preflop, with eight players still to act. Postflop the first remaining player left of the button acts first: the small blind and big blind act before UTG when still in the hand. UTG therefore has position on the blinds but acts before later-position players such as the cutoff and button. Heads-up uses a different order: the button posts the small blind and acts first preflop, then the big blind acts first postflop.

More players remain behind an early-position opener than a button opener, so hand selection needs to account for more possible calls and reraises. There is no universal UTG opening percentage or raise size: cash versus tournament format, antes, effective stacks, rake and opponents matter. A six-handed UTG seat is not equivalent to nine-handed UTG. Use a chart that matches the actual format rather than carrying a fixed range between tables.

Do not confuse acting first preflop with acting first on every street. UTG is in position against the blinds postflop, but out of position against remaining later seats. Also avoid treating a hand as an automatic open or fold without checking stack depth, table size and the action already taken.

• Nine-handed example: UTG has eight players still to act preflop
• Six-handed example: UTG has five players still to act preflop
• Postflop: live blinds act before UTG; the button acts after UTG
• Seats still to act behind you at a nine-handed table: 8