Cutoff

The Cutoff is a premium position in poker, second only to the Button. With only one player (the Button) between you and the blinds, the Cutoff opens a wide range and is a primary blind-stealing position. In a 6-Max MTT at 100bb, a typical Cutoff opening range is around 30-35% of hands, significantly wider than early positions but narrower than the Button. This range includes all pocket pairs, most suited aces, suited broadways, suited connectors from 54s up, and a good selection of offsuit broadways. The Cutoff's strategic identity is shaped by its relationship with the Button. When you open from the Cutoff, the Button can cold call or 3-bet with position on you, which limits your ability to play marginal hands profitably. This Button threat is why the CO range is meaningfully tighter than the BTN range despite being only one seat apart. One key Cutoff dynamic is the concept of 'Button steal defense.' If the Button 3-bets your Cutoff open frequently, you must adjust by either tightening your open or adding more 4-bets. Conversely, if the Button folds to your opens most of the time, you can open wider and treat the Cutoff almost like a Button position. At shorter stack depths, the Cutoff becomes a critical position for accumulating chips. At 20-30bb, Cutoff opens become more aggressive because the fold equity from positional advantage remains strong. Many players underestimate the Cutoff and play it too passively, missing profitable stealing opportunities.