What is position?  In poker terms it is defined as where a player is seated in relation to the dealer, therefore establishing the betting order for the player.  Also, it probably is the single most important factor to consider when playing a hand in no limit holdem.  We will get to why that is later in the article, but now lets discuss the different kinds of position. 

Early position is seats one through four (assuming a nine man table and seat one and two being the small and big blind).  Early position is where you are going to lose some of your money in poker because it is hard to assume what your opponent has at this point.  Also, people like to call a raise when in the blind because they are already invested, and it becomes a costly bad habit.  Unless you actually make a good hand, your opponent in later position will have an advantage over you.  Medium position is considered to be seats five through seven.  It is more effective to play a hand in medium position then in early because it is less likely that an opponent has a hand.  If the late position player does not get involved, then medium position would becomes a strong seat.  Late position is seats eight and nine (nine being the button).  This is the ideal spot to be playing your hands of poker.  You gain a sense of control over the hand when you are last to act.  You have the ability to fold without costing you any more money, bet when your opponent shows weakness and checks, and re-raise when you think you opponent is just taking a stab at the pot.  You can also call down your opponent when getting bet into, holding the nuts (best possible hand).  

Having knowledge about position allows us to play the right hands at the right time (representing the best hand is just as good as having it).  Example, having AJ in early position can be a difficult hand to play, if you get re-raised pre flop.  When getting dealt AJ on the button, and all hands get folded to you, the chances of that being the best hand greatly increase.  When playing hands in early position the players that act behind you have more information about your particular hand, by seeing how you are playing it.  This alone gives any player in late position a huge advantage.  After you have a good feel and certain reads on the table, using position alone is enough to take down pots.  Try to play only stronger hands out of position to help avoid marginal situations.  Remember to mind your position when playing every hand in no limit holdem and you are sure to have a much more prosperous experience.