In poker, position is power. Act after having had the benefit of seeing what your opponents are almost always beneficial. Their actions give you clues as to value, real or perceived, of their hands. This is true in any game of poker, but it is especially true fixed position in games like Hold’em and Omaha. In these games the position remains the same for the whole hand, unlike the stud, which can vary between a betting round and the other.

Suppose you are sitting in eighth place in a game of fixed-limit hold’em, and raises before the flop with pocket jacks, only to see the flop A ♥ Q ♦ 6 ♠. The player in third position tip, and one in the fifth position raises. What do you do? Unless you do not have good reason to believe that both are bluffing – very, very unlikely – you know you have the best hand, and that would be to give up your pair.

Now look at another scenario, with the same cards. Suppose you have checked the flop your hand, and again on the turn. At this point you can probably bet your pair of jacks and take the pot, or just to check your opponents and give hope to someone without the ability to bluff the pot on the river.
What would you have done if I had been the first to act with the same hand? What would you have done with your J in that case? You can bet, and maybe even steal the pot if no one is holding aces or queens, but remember: in many low limit players bet with any ace, regardless of the kicker.

Point gives you the chance to steal the pot, but if someone has a better hand, you can be sure that you will call, or maybe you relaunch it. Since you were forced to act first, without knowing in advance what they have in hand the opponents and clueless on how to play their hands or respond to your actions, you are obliged to try to guess what will be the right play. Although no one has an ace or a king, you might end up throwing away your hand if someone bets and you are forced to think of calling on two overcards.

Overall, not a good situation, beyond the position. But of course you will be safer if you act last. Any early position only offers the opportunity to steal the pot bluffing. However, it is a high risk strategy, because you might be on a better hand, and discover that they have raised only trouble