cutoff

Cutoff (CO) is the seat right before the button. After CO acts, only BTN, SB, and BB remain — making it the second-best aggressive position behind BTN.

Detailed Explanation

CO's positional value:

1. Second-widest preflop open range: ~25%, just behind BTN's 40%
2. Usually IP postflop: unless BTN calls or 3bets, CO is IP postflop
3. Can "steal" blinds: forms the "late position steal" duo with BTN

The key challenge for CO is BTN sits behind you — an aggressive BTN can cold 3bet any CO open, compressing CO's bluff space.

CO's standard 6-max ranges:

• Open ~25%: 22+, A2s+, K8s+, Q9s+, J9s+, T9s, ATo+, KJo+
• 3bet ~5%: QQ+, AK, A5s, A4s (a few blocker bluffs)
• Response to BTN 3bet: 4bet QQ+/AK, call JJ/TT/AJs, fold marginal hands

Common Use Cases

• Stealing blinds: CO opens hoping the blinds fold; if BTN also folds, the steal succeeds
• Isolating a limper: CO is a common iso position, heads-up vs the limper IP postflop
• Reading BTN tendencies: loose-aggressive BTN → tighten CO opens; tight BTN → widen CO steals
• Late multiway games: as players bust, CO's relative positional value grows