Seat selection in Poker – Why move?

Something to always consider when sitting down at a poker game is seat selection. The players who judiciously pick their spot all have their own individual theory or preference when it comes to where and why to change seats. When you enter a game at the California Grand unless there is more than one seat available you do not have a choice of where to sit; the open seat is your seat. But when a player leaves the game and a seat opens up you face a decision. Should I change seats or stay where I’m at?

The strategy for seat selection I hear the most is: “Get the fish or the action on your right.” With the action on your right you can raise to isolate yourself with the money/action player and when you do enter pots you will likely be in position acting last. While I agree with this concept and the reasons behind it I feel like there is a better and less talked about method to seat selection.

“Act last at all costs.” Most players understand that having the button is generally the best position. If you could have the button every single hand you’d do it in a heartbeat. What if I told you that by picking the right seat you could essentially have the button two three or even four times every round? By picking a seat where you have very tight players on your left that is exactly what you can get. If you pick up a good hand and raise to enter the pot tight players on your left will almost never enter the pot unless they have a very strong hand. Thus if you are one two or three hands away from the button and everyone folds in between you and the button the button is now essentially yours again! You are acting last on all of the remaining betting rounds which is the same thing as having the button. The next time a seat opens up ask yourself this: “Are there more tight players to my left in my current seat or if I take the newly opened seat?” Give it a try and see how it affects your play. This method may not be for everyone but it is definitely another aspect of seat selection to consider and one that I don’t hear very often.