Cutoff Opening Range Guide: From Beginner to Pro

The Importance of the Cutoff (CO)

The Cutoff (CO) is the position to the right of the Button (BTN) and is a key position in both 6-max and full-ring games. Because the CO is closest to the button, it acts last postflop (unless the BTN enters the pot), giving it a significant positional advantage. CO players can open-raise to apply pressure and steal the blinds using their position.

Standard Opening Range

The CO opening range is typically wider than UTG (Under the Gun) but tighter than the BTN. Below is a typical GTO-style opening range (assuming 100BB effective stacks, no ante):

• Raise (2.5BB–3BB): All pairs ([22]+), all suited connectors (e.g., [54s]+), all suited aces ([A2s]+), all offsuit aces ([ATo]+), most suited kings ([K9s]+), all offsuit kings ([KJo]+), most suited queens ([Q9s]+), some offsuit queens ([QTo]+), suited jacks ([J8s]+), suited tens ([T8s]+), suited nines ([98s]+), and some offsuit connectors (e.g., [T9o], [98o]). Roughly 20%–25% of all starting hands.

Note: The exact range depends on opponents and table dynamics. An aggressive style can add marginal hands, while a conservative style can tighten up.

Example Range Chart (100BB, No Ante)

Stack Depth Adjustments

• Deep Stack (200BB+): Add more suited connectors (e.g., [64s], [53s]) and some wider suited hands (e.g., [J7s]) because implied odds are easier to realize postflop with deep stacks. Reduce big offsuit hands like [AQo] to avoid difficult postflop situations.
• Short Stack (30–50BB): Tighten the range by removing marginal suited connectors and small pairs, as these hands are hard to realize equity with low stacks. Prefer strong hands for shoving, e.g., 99+, AQ+.
• Very Short Stack (<20BB): Shift to a push/fold strategy. From the CO, you can shove with hands like 22+, A2s+, [KQo]+, adjusting based on ICM pressure.

Adjustments Against Different Opponents

• Against Weak Players (Tight-Passive): Widen your range and raise more marginal hands (e.g., [Q8s], [J7s]) to profit from their high fold equity. Increase your c-bet frequency.
• Against Aggressive Players (Loose-Aggressive): Tighten your raising range but increase 4-bet bluff frequency. Value-raise strong hands like QQ+, AK, [AQs] and avoid marginal hands that can be exploited by 3-bets.
• Against Calling Stations: Reduce bluffs and bet for value with strong hands. Lower the frequency of suited connectors in your CO opening range because they have low showdown value.

Common Mistakes

1. Overplaying Small Pairs: Small pairs (22–[66]) from the CO are unlikely to hit sets postflop and are difficult to defend against 3-bets. Do not raise them too wide without specific reads.
2. Ignoring Positional Advantage: The CO has a huge positional edge postflop, but some players play as tightly as UTG, wasting opportunities to steal blinds and squeeze.
3. Using a Fixed Range: Poker is dynamic. Adjust your range based on stack sizes, opponents, and antes. A static range is easily exploitable.

Practical Tips

• In 6-max, the CO opening range can be wider than in full-ring because the blinds act earlier.
• When a weak player is in the blinds, increase your steal frequency. When an aggressive player is behind you, be cautious with your raises.
• Balance your range: Include appropriate bluff hands (e.g., marginal suited connectors) alongside value hands to make your range harder to read.

Mastering the CO opening range is a key step toward becoming a profitable player. Practice regularly and adjust flexibly based on the situation, and you will find the CO position highly lucrative.