Cutoff Opening Range Guide

Positional Value and Basic Logic

The Cutoff (CO) is the seat to the right of the button, and is the last active position preflop (after the button). Since the CO has positional advantage postflop and can control the frequency of entering pots, its opening range can be wider than the middle positions.

Generally, the standard CO opening range includes:

• Pairs: 22+ (all pocket pairs)
• Suited connectors: 54s+, T9s, JTs, QJs, KQs (and some weaker suited connectors like 76s)
• Suited aces: A2s+ (all suited aces)
• Offsuit aces: A9o+ (A9o and above)
• K suited: K9s+ (K9s and above)
• K offsuit: KJo+ (KJo and above)
• Q suited: QTs+ (QTs and above)
• Q offsuit: QJo (QJo)
• J suited: JTs (JTs only)

The above range accounts for roughly 20%-25% of all hands, depending on stack depth and playing style.

Impact of Stack Depth

Shallow stacks (20-40 BB): The CO should tighten the range, prioritizing high-equity hands. It is recommended to give up small pairs (22-55) and weak suited connectors (54s-76s), as these hands are difficult to realize equity at low SPR. Keep AJo+, ATs+, 99+, KQo, etc., and raise to around 2.5 BB.

Standard stacks (80-120 BB): Use the standard range above, with raise sizes typically 2.2-2.5 BB. It is fine to add some Axs and suited connectors to balance value hands.

Deep stacks (150+ BB): The range can be further widened to about 30% of hands, including all suited aces, suited connectors down to 54s, weaker pairs (22+), and adding a few offsuit connectors like JTo. Raise size can be increased to 2.5-3 BB to reduce opponents' calling odds.

Opponent Types and Exploitative Adjustments

Blind players are tight-passive (fold too much)

When the small blind or big blind has a high fold-to-steal rate, the CO can significantly widen the range, e.g., adding all aces, all kings, all connectors (even Q8o). Raise size can be reduced to 2 BB to maximize steal profit.

Blind players are loose-aggressive (frequent 3-bets)

If blind players often 3-bet, the CO should tighten the opening range to about 15%-18%, and increase the frequency of 4-betting for value (e.g., QQ+, AK). At the same time, reduce the opening of weak hands to avoid being frequently squeezed.

Button player is aggressive (often squeeze-raises)

When the button likes to 3-bet or cold-call after a CO open, the CO can slightly tighten the range and add more hands that can call 3-bets (e.g., ATs, KJs, medium pairs).

Key Postflop Strategy Points

1. Continuation bet (c-bet): CO has position postflop, so c-bet frequency should be maintained at 60%-75%. On dry boards (e.g., K-7-2) you can make frequent small bets (1/3 pot), while on wet boards (e.g., T-9-6) you should lower the frequency and control the pot.
2. Minimum defense frequency (MDF): Facing a check-raise, the CO must defend with sufficiently strong hands to avoid folding too much. For example, when calling a raise on the flop, you should keep top pair or better, or draws.
3. River value betting: When the CO hits a strong hand and the opponent's range is weak, use a medium size (2/3 pot) to extract value. Avoid over-bluffing, especially in multiway pots.

Practical Examples

Example 1 (standard stacks): Effective stacks 100 BB, CO holds ATs. Folds to CO, CO raises to 2.3 BB. SB folds, BB calls. Flop K♠-9♦-3♥, BB checks. CO continuation bets 1/3 pot (about 1.8 BB), BB folds.

Example 2 (vs loose-aggressive blind): Effective stacks 120 BB, CO holds 66. Folds to CO, CO raises to 2.5 BB. SB folds, BB 3-bets to 9 BB. CO folds (66 is not suitable for calling a 3-bet, and positional advantage is not enough to compensate for the equity disadvantage).

Summary

The cutoff's opening range should be flexibly adjusted based on stack depth, blind player tendencies, and button player tendencies. Consistent practice and recording opponent behavior will help you gradually optimize your preflop decisions. Remember, position is one of the biggest advantages in Texas Hold'em; using the CO effectively will significantly boost your profitability.