The cutoff in poker is the table position located directly to the right of the button. It is widely regarded as one of the most profitable late seats at a poker table due to its positional advantage over almost all opponents. Mastering how to play from this seat helps players steal blinds and control the action in post-flop play.
What is the Cutoff in Poker?
When studying positional dynamics, the cutoff poker meaning refers to a late position that allows a player to act after early and middle positions have already made their choices. In pre-flop action, only the button and the two blinds sit behind you.
If the player on the button folds, the cutoff in poker assumes the final position for every remaining street, granting full control over how post-flop rounds play out.
Where is the Cutoff Position in Poker?
Knowing where is the cutoff in poker comes down to locating the button dealer chip. The cut off position in poker sits immediately to the right of the button, while the hijack sits directly to the right of the cutoff. In a standard 6-max table layout, the order of action moves from UTG, Hijack, Cutoff, Button, Small Blind, to Big Blind. On a full-ring table with nine players, the cut off in poker remains right before the button, with the only difference being additional early-position seats.
Why the Cutoff Is a Strong Position?
Sitting in this position offers significant strategic power because you observe the actions of almost every player at the table before deciding your own move. Having only three players left to act behind you greatly increases your chances of taking control of the pot. Furthermore, whenever the button folds pre-flop, you gain the absolute advantage of acting last throughout all subsequent betting streets.
How to Play from the Cutoff
This late seat allows for a broader opening range and a more aggressive overall strategy.
Opening Range from the CO
Your opening range here expands significantly compared to early seats, generally encompassing 25% to 30% of starting hands. Suitable holdings include all pocket pairs, broadway cards, suited connectors, and suited aces. This balanced selection provides enough flexibility to build pots or apply pressure to conservative players sitting behind you.
Stealing the Blinds
Raising after all earlier players fold is a primary way to pick up uncontested blinds. The main threat comes from the button, who can re-raise or call with positional advantage. When facing tight blinds and a passive button, raising frequently remains a highly effective tactic.
Example of Cutoff in Poker
Imagine playing a 6-max cash game where action folds around to you sitting in the poker cutoff position holding A10. Seeing that no one in front has entered the pot, you make a standard open-raise to two-and-a-half blinds. The button folds, and both blinds call, allowing you to play the rest of the hand with the advantage of acting last on every street.
Cutoff vs Button: What’s the Difference?
While both represent prime late seats, the button holds absolute position throughout the hand because it acts last on every post-flop street. The cut off poker seat acts immediately before the button, meaning its main tactical barrier is the player sitting on the button. If the button remains in the hand, the cutoff must play post-flop out of position, whereas the button never faces that drawback.
Common Mistakes with the Cutoff Position
A frequent mistake is opening too wide without paying attention to an aggressive player sitting on the button. Players also make the error of treating the seat like the button itself, failing to account for the risk of getting 3-bet by active opponents behind them.
Additionally, passing up clear opportunities to steal blinds against passive opponents can leave easy long-term profit on the table.
