Defining the Cutoff in Poker — A Fundamental Overview
The cutoff position in poker This term designates a particular seat at the poker table. The Cutoff position specifically indicates your location relative to the dealer.
Instead of simply asking, ' What is the cutoff in poker?', it would be more insightful to inquire, ' Where is the cutoff in poker?'
Identifying the Cutoff Position in Poker — Locating Your Spot
At a poker table, each player’s seat is given a specific name. The positions shift with every hand, giving each player the opportunity to occupy all seating areas.
Here are the names of the various seat positions in poker:
- Under the Gun (UTG)
- Under the Gun+1 (UTG+1)
- Middle Position (MP)
- Lojack (LJ)
- Hijack (HJ)
- Cutoff (CO)
- Button (BU)
- Small Blind (SB)
- Big Blind (BB)
In summary, the cutoff position plays its part before the button acts.
(For a deeper understanding of poker seat names and their roles, check out this article: Poker Positions Explained: A Complete In-Depth Guide for Beginners. ).
Is the Cutoff Position in Poker Good?
Indeed, the cutoff is recognized as the second-most profitable spot in poker! (The button holds the title for the most profitable position.)
Being aware of the cutoff's location is vital when you are learning how to play effectively. how to play poker .
Because you take your turn after many players have acted, you gain insight into their moves first, which is an enormous advantage.
- Do they bet?
- Do they raise?
- Do they fold?
By observing their choices, you can make informed adjustments to your gameplay.
The button follows the cutoff position only after the flop, putting both the CO and BTN in prime positions in poker.
This order of play allows you to gauge how your opponents respond before deciding your course of action. It’s significantly easier to make strategic moves when you're informed about the intentions of your rivals.
Why Is it Called the Cutoff in Poker?
There are two common theories.
- This position historically had the role of cutting the deck for the dealer after shuffling.
- The cutoff can strategically interrupt the favorable position of the button by making an aggressive raise.
The exact origin of this name remains a mystery; however, it unmistakably indicates that you should act right before the button. poker definitions If no raises occur before the button's turn, they might choose to raise with speculative hands (often weaker cards), reasoning that other players likely lack strong hands.
When players perceive that others are not heavily invested in their cards, the button may opt to raise with mediocre hands.
So, the theory goes like this:
- Knowing the button's intentions, the cutoff will preemptively 'cut off' their potential action by raising first!
- (The player in the hijack position, anticipating the cutoff's strategy to interrupt the button, may opt to raise prior to them!)
- That’s why we observe the sequence of seat positions: hijack, cutoff, and button.
Can You ‘Steal’ from the Cutoff Position?
Another perspective on this strategic raising game revolves around the concept of ‘stealing.’ Similar to the button, the cutoff provides an excellent opportunity to 'steal' blinds preflop by making open raises with a diverse range of hands.
However, stealing from the cutoff may not be as highly profitable compared to seizing the button opportunity. There’s always the risk that the button might respond with a strong hand. poker lingo Even if the button's hand is average, should they choose to engage, they'll hold strategic advantage over the cutoff throughout the remainder of the hand, allowing them to react based on the cutoff's actions.
What Hands Are Suitable for Open Raising from the Cutoff?
The ideal strategy can depend on the game type, but a typical cash game player will raise roughly 27% of their starting hands from the cutoff position. This percentage usually encompasses the top 27% of starting hands based on our valuation.
For specifics on which hands to open from the cutoff position in poker, consult this guide.
Take note: If the players in the button and blinds tend to fold frequently preflop, a savvy player will widen their open-raising range from the cutoff to capitalize on their opponents’ lack of aggression.
How to Respond to Open Raises When You Are in the Cutoff? .
From the cutoff position, you should regard open raises with extra caution. Usually, players in middle and early positions indicate stronger ranges with their raises.
In cash games, a typical player may cold call about 7% of the time and make a 3-bet approximately 6% of the time. Generally, you should lean toward folding when confronted with an open raise from the cutoff.
As a rule of thumb, when you're uncertain about engaging preflop, it's often wiser to fold. Complicated situations tend to amplify after the flop, particularly when dealing with wet boards.
The cutoff's win rate can vary according to the game format and a player’s skill level. Yet, in standard cash games, proficient players typically aim for a winrate of around 24 big blinds for every 100 hands (24bb/100) .
If you find your winrate to be considerably lower, it may signal issues such as flawed hand selection, lack of appropriate aggression, or errors during post-flop play. poker board .
When in doubt, let it go! Fold.
What Is a Good Cutoff Winrate?
How to React Against Open Raises from the Cutoff?
Open raises from the cutoff do not inherently suggest extreme strength (though they are certainly more robust than button open-raising ranges on average). When you face a cutoff open raise, it's advisable to defend actively from the button, small blind, and big blind.
In essence, you should be somewhat suspicious if a player raises from the cutoff; raises from earlier positions, such as under the gun, are generally treated with greater regard given their inherent risk.
When a player raises from the cutoff, it can be both enticing and strategically sound to re-raise to apply pressure from either the button or one of the blinds.
Keep in mind how the cutoff's name originates from the desire to disrupt the button's actions? They might raise with weaker cards, attempting an aggressive bluff.
Given that the cutoff is the second most profitable position at the poker table following the button, understanding how to navigate this role is crucial.
The cutoff can yield particularly profitable opportunities, especially if the button player is overly conservative, allowing frequent access to the blinds.
Cutoff in Poker - Final Thoughts
For more tailored strategies on playing from the cutoff in cash games, consider taking a look at this
in-depth strategy guide focused on the cutoff position.
Amanda, the author of 'A Girl's Guide to Poker', aims to make poker approachable and enjoyable for everyone. In 2021, she reached the final table at the World Series of Poker where she and her father finished third in the WSOP tag team event. What does the term Cutoff in Poker mean? — A Fundamental Overview. .
