In games with blinds, such as Texas Hold'em or Omaha, it is the player seated just to the left of ⚾️ the big blind. The under the gun player must act first pre-flop in a game with blinds. After the flop, ⚾️ the under the gun player is then the third to act, after the small blind and big blind.

UTG is also ⚾️ used as a shorthand for the other early positions, with UTG+1 being the next player to the left of the ⚾️ under the gun position, UTG+2 the second player to the left, and UTG+3 the third player to the left.

Disadvantages of ⚾️ the Under the Gun Position

The term under the gun implies that you are under pressure, and that is true for ⚾️ this position. Everyone is awaiting your play before the flop and you don't know what the others are planning to ⚾️ do.

Pre-flop, all of the players at the table will have the option to call, raise, or fold after the UTG ⚾️ position. When you are in this position, you have no information about the strength of the hands of the other ⚾️ players. You don't know whether any of the other players will be calling, raising, or folding, and how many will ⚾️ still be in the hand after the flop.