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  One of the biggest mistakes new players make is not realizing that the seats around a poker table actually mean something. Laboring under the impression that all chairs are created equal, newbies will play out of position and find themselves treated like somebody who is taking their first shower in a maximum security prison.



  The unalterable reality of the game is that if you are in the early position, you are in no position to raise before the flop. Aggression from this position is best done when you have established a hand that is a legit contender for the pot. The reason for caution from this position is that the players acting behind you don't have to take risk of being among the first to act. They get the luxury of being able to interpret and react to what the people before them have done. So the basics of this dynamic are that those in the early position play more conservatively. People in the late position can be more aggressive.



  Now that we have established the basic, bare bones rule, there are situations where it is strategically advantageous to break that rule.



  If you have a high pocket pair like a pair of Aces, Kings, or Queens, this is a good situation to show some aggressive play from an early position. This is strategically sound because more often than not, the decision with this pair is easy after the flop. The flop will either give you a strong hand or completely neuter your high pair.



  In the event that the flop gives you a great hand, your early aggression gave you a head start, and pouring on the intensity with an all in bet will either scare everyone else out of the hand, or help you build a huge pot that you will probably win. If the flop doesn't help you, the decision to fold is easy.



  Good Luck!