Under the Gun Plus One

Overview

Under the Gun Plus One (UTG+1) is an early position in a full-ring (9-10 player) poker game, located immediately to the left of the UTG player. In six-max games, the term is rarely used as there are only two early positions (UTG and UTG+1 often merge into a single UTG or the second position is called UTG+1 but functionally similar).

Preflop Strategy

UTG+1 is considered an early position because there are still many players left to act behind (including the blinds). Therefore, a tight and strong opening range is recommended. Typical opening ranges from UTG+1 include premium hands like AA, KK, QQ, AK, and sometimes hands like AQs, JJ, TT, and occasionally suited connectors like 89s or 9Ts if the table is passive. The exact range depends on game dynamics and player tendencies.

Because UTG+1 acts after UTG, it has slightly more information than UTG but still faces the risk of raises or re-raises from later positions. A raise from UTG+1 should generally be for value or as a semi-bluff with strong potential, rather than as a pure bluff.

Postflop Considerations

Postflop, UTG+1 often represents strength due to the tight preflop range. C-betting (continuation betting) is common, but the player must be aware of multiple opponents and the risk of being out of position against later positions (especially the cutoff and button) who will have the advantage of acting last. Overcalling or check-raising with strong hands can be effective, but balance is key.

Comparison with UTG

UTG+1 is slightly less restrictive than UTG because it gets to see UTG's action before deciding. If UTG folds, UTG+1 has a wider viable range. If UTG raises, UTG+1 must have a very strong hand to continue (typically reraising or folding). In general, UTG+1 opens a marginally wider range than UTG, often including hands like 99, AJo, and KQo that UTG might fold.

In Short-Handed Games

In six-max (6-handed) games, the term "UTG+1" is sometimes used for the second position (after UTG), but many players refer to it simply as "early position" or "MP" (middle position) if the game is short. The strategy remains similar: tight and strong ranges, but slightly looser than in full-ring because there are fewer players behind.

Conclusion

Understanding UTG+1 is crucial for building a solid preflop strategy. It requires discipline to avoid playing too many hands out of position, but it also offers opportunities to exploit both the UTG player and the later positions when holding strong holdings.