Hijack
The Hijack is a term used in poker to refer to the position to the right of the cutoff and two seats to the right of the button. This position is often written as "HJ."
What is the Hijack?
The term hijack in poker refers to a specific position on the poker table during a game. The hijack is the player who acts before the player in the cutoff position, which is the seat to the immediate right of the dealer (a.k.a. the button)
The name "hijack" suggests the idea of hijacking or taking advantage of more powerful positions like the cutoff and the button by acting aggressively to get those positions to fold.
Why is the Hijack Position Important?
The hijack position is important because it's a relatively late position in a round of betting, meaning the player in the Hijack position gets to see most of the other players actions before the hijack has to act themselves. This extra information provides the player with an advantage, as they can adjust their strategy based on the actions of the players who acted before them, playing a wider range of hands compared to the early positions and frequently stealing the blinds.
Example of Hijack
If you are at a nine-player Texas hold'em table, then you are in the hijack when you are in the seat seven to the left of the dealer and five to the left of the big blind.
- "The player in the hijack position decided to raise, trying to steal the blinds."
- "Being in the hijack allowed him to play a wider range of hands."
- "From the hijack position, he had a good view of the action before making his decision."
What is the best strategy when playing from the hijack position?
The best strategy when playing from the hijack position is to play a wider range of hands and to act aggressively, especially if the players before you have folded.
How many players are there to the left of the hijack position?
There are four players to the left of the hijack position: the cutoff, the button, and the two blinds.
Why is it called the hijack position?
It's called the hijack because you're in a position to "hijack" the advantageous positions of the cutoff and the button by playing aggressively.
Is the hijack position a good position to be in?
Yes, the hijack position is considered a good position because you get to see most of the other players act before you do, which can provide valuable information.
Can I play weak hands from the hijack position?
While it's possible to play weaker hands from the hijack position, it's important to adjust your strategy based on the actions of the players who act before you.