Hijack (HJ) in Poker: Position Meaning Explained
The hijack (HJ) is the seat two to the right of the button — the second-latest position preflop. Here's where it sits and how to play it.
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Working back from the button, the late seats line up like this:
| Seat | Abbreviation | Position relative to button |
|---|---|---|
| Button | BTN | The seat itself — acts last |
| Cutoff | CO | One seat to the right |
| Hijack | HJ | Two seats to the right |
| Lojack | LJ | Three seats to the right |
So the hijack (HJ) is the seat two to the right of the dealer button — the second-latest position at the table before the flop. Only the cutoff and the button act after it. Whenever you see HJ in a hand history or on a range chart, it means this seat.
Why “hijack”
The name is a description of the tactic. Traditionally the cutoff and button were the seats that raised to steal the blinds. Open from one seat earlier and you “hijack” that steal — you grab the initiative before the usual thieves get their turn. The label stuck as the seat’s permanent name.
How it plays
Being second-from-the-button gives the hijack most of the perks of late position, with one catch: two players still act behind you.
- Open wide, just not button-wide. Suited connectors, suited aces, any decent pair, broadways — a broad raising range, trimmed a notch from what you’d open on the button.
- Steal the blinds. A big chunk of hijack profit comes from opening and having the cutoff, button, and blinds all fold.
- Respect the two seats behind. Unlike being on the button, you aren’t guaranteed to act last after the flop — the cutoff or button can 3-bet and take position from you.
Two mistakes are common here. One is treating the hijack like the button and opening everything, ignoring those two players still to act. The other is confusing it with the lojack, which sits one seat earlier and plays a touch tighter. Compared with under the gun — where a full table waits behind you and your range must be at its tightest — the hijack is far roomier. It’s the gateway to profitable late-position play. Map the whole seating order in the Texas Hold’em hub or keep building your vocabulary in the poker terms glossary.
Frequently asked
What does HJ mean in poker?
HJ stands for hijack, the seat two to the right of the button. It acts just before the cutoff and is one of the latest positions at the table, so it opens a wide, aggressive range.
Why is it called the hijack?
Because you can raise from it to steal the pot before the cutoff and button — the seats that traditionally do the stealing — ever get a chance to act.