Cutoff Opening Range Guide

Introduction

The Cut-Off (CO) is the first seat to the right of the Button (BTN). Because the Button and two blinds act after him, the CO has positional advantage and can exploit the blinds before the Button acts. Therefore, the CO is one of the most frequent positions to open-raise preflop. Mastering the correct opening range and adjusting it based on opponents and stack depth is key to profitability.

Standard Cutoff Opening Range

In a typical 6‑max game (100BB effective stacks), a solid CO opening range includes about 20%‑25% of all hands. Here is an example range (when folded to CO, raise to 2‑3BB):

• Strong hands: JJ+, AK+ (always raise)
• Medium‑strong hands: ATs+, KQs, AQo, 88-TT, AJo, KJs+, QJs (raise)
• Speculative hands: A9s-A2s, KTs-K9s, QTs-Q9s, JTs-65s (suited connectors), small pairs 22-77 (raise some, depending on situation)
• Marginal hands to mix in: AJo, KQo, JTo etc. (choose carefully based on opponents)

Note: The above is an example range. In actual games, fine‑tune according to pot odds and opponent tendencies.

Key Factors Influencing the Opening Range

1. Opponent Style

• Tight‑aggressive (TAG): CO can open more marginal hands, such as suited connectors and small Ax, because TAGs fold often.
• Loose‑aggressive (LAG): Tighten the range; only raise strong hands and those with high playability (e.g. JTs, AXs) to avoid being at a disadvantage after facing a 3‑bet.
• Calling Station: Reduce bluffing hands; raise mostly value hands because calling stations rarely fold, so postflop you need to make a hand to win.

2. Stack Depth

• Deep stacks (200BB+): Add more speculative hands with postflop potential (suited connectors, small pairs) because implied odds are high.
• Short stacks (below 40BB): Tighten the range; only raise strong hands (e.g. 99+, AQ+) to avoid losing many chips with speculative hands.
• Medium stacks (100BB): Use the standard range.

3. The Blinds

• Blinds are tight‑passive: Widen the range; use position to steal blinds.
• Blinds are aggressive: Tighten the range; reduce marginal hands and prepare to defend against 3‑bets.
• Blinds have a high call rate: Reduce suited connectors; play more big cards (e.g. KQ, AT) because postflop decisions are easier.

4. Tournament vs Cash Game

• Tournament: Under ICM pressure, be cautious in multiway pots; blinds will call tighter. CO can slightly widen the opening range, but pay attention to stack‑to‑blind ratio (BB/ante).
• Cash game: Focus on immediate pot odds; can use a standard GTO range.

Adjustment Examples

Scenario 1: Against Tight‑Passive Blinds (100BB)

• Expand opening range to about 30%, including: all suited Aces, K9s+, Q9s+, suited connectors 76s+, small pairs 22-77, medium suited connectors 65s+.
• Example hands: A5s, K9s, QTs, 66, 76s.

Scenario 2: Against Loose‑Aggressive Blinds (100BB)

• Tighten to about 15%; only raise: TT+, AJs+, KQs, AQ+, and a few suited connectors like JTs.
• Fold AJo, KQo, small pairs, etc.

Scenario 3: Short Stack (30BB)

• Use a "push or fold" strategy range: 77+, ATs+, AJo+, KQo.
• Reduce raise size (e.g. 2BB) to avoid committing too many chips.

Practical Advice and Common Mistakes

• Mistake 1: Using a fixed range. Always adjust to opponents; do not play on autopilot.
• Mistake 2: Opening too wide when the blinds are loose. Getting called frequently puts you at a postflop disadvantage.
• Mistake 3: Ignoring positional advantage. The CO’s edge lies in controlling the pot postflop; use semi‑bluffs and continuation bets.
• Advice: Track the blinds’ 3‑bet frequency. If it exceeds 12%, reduce marginal open‑raises; if below 6%, you can widen your range significantly.

Summary

The Cut‑Off is a key position for preflop profitability. A standard opening range is 20%‑25%, but you must adjust dynamically based on opponent style, stack depth, and blind tendencies. Remember: there is no permanently correct range – only the strategy that best fits the current table. Practice, record opponent data, and gradually optimize your CO opening range.