Cutoff Opening Range Guide: How to Make the Most of the Last Advantageous Position

Position Scenario Overview

The Cutoff (CO) is the third position after the gun and the last non-blind position preflop. The CO has a significant positional advantage: all postflop actions are superior to opponents, and it can directly control the button (BTN) re-raise. Therefore, the CO's opening range can be wider than early positions, but you still need to be cautious about squeezes and cold calls from players behind (BTN, SB, BB).

Recommended Range

The following is a typical CO open-raise range (assuming 100BB effective stacks, no specific opponent tendencies):

• Value hands (approx. 15%): Pocket pairs 44+, A8s+, A9o+, K9s+, KJo+, QJo+, QTs+, JTs+, T9s+, 98s+.
• Semi-bluff/connected hands (approx. 10%): Small pairs 22-33, suited connectors 76s-86s, suited aces with gaps Axs (A2s-A5s), suited one-gappers (K8s, Q8s, J8s, T8s), and some offsuit high cards (A7o-A8o, KTo, QTo).
• Total approx. 25-30%: Specific percentage adjusted based on opponents.

Range Construction Logic

The core of the CO range is balancing value and bluffs while leveraging positional advantage.

1. Value first: All hands stronger than the BTN's cold-calling range should be raised. Strong pairs (77+) and high suited aces (A9s+) are the main value hands.
2. Blockers: Choose hands containing A or K to reduce the probability of opponents holding AA/KK, while increasing your own chance of hitting top pair. For example, A2s-A5s are weak, but they block AK and can draw to the nut flush postflop.
3. Connectivity and playability: Suited connectors (T9s, 98s) and suited one-gappers (J8s, T8s) easily form draws postflop, allowing you to bluff even when they miss due to your position.
4. Avoid weak marginal hands: Unconnected trash hands (e.g., Q2s) are not in the range because they are difficult to realize equity with.

Adjustments

• Aggressive players behind: If the BTN or blinds frequently 3-bet, tighten your range by removing bottom suited connectors and weak Axs, increasing the proportion of pairs and high cards.
• Passive blinds: If SB and BB often fold, widen your range by adding more suited hands and small pairs, focusing on stealing blinds.
• Stack depth: With shallow stacks (<40BB), tighten the range, favoring raises with pairs and A-high hands; with deep stacks (>150BB), add more suited connectors and speculative hands.
• Opponent tendencies: Against calling stations, play more value hands; against loose-aggressive players, reduce marginal hands and consider re-raising.

GTO Reference

According to GTO solvers, at typical 100BB 6-max, the CO open-raise frequency is around 28-30%, with specific ranges varying slightly by data. Common GTO solutions include:

• Raising range: 22+, A2s+, A9o+, K6s+, KTo+, Q8s+, QTo+, J8s+, JTo, T7s+, T9o, 97s+, 87s, 76s, 65s (approx. 30%).
• Frequency: Raise to about 2.5BB; when facing a 3-bet, defend with pairs, A-high, suited connectors, etc.

Note: GTO ranges are not absolute; adjust based on opponent deviations in practice.

Practical Application

• Standard situation: Default to the recommended range above, raising 2.5-3BB.
• Facing a call: Postflop, leverage positional advantage with a continuation bet (C-bet) frequency of about 60-70%, avoiding excessive betting on dry boards.
• Facing a 3-bet: Your defending range should include all pairs, A-high suited, and strong suited connectors, adjusting based on stack depth. At 100BB, you can 4-bet AA/KK, some AK, and occasionally 5-bet bluff.
• Example: With T♠7♠ in the CO and everyone folding, raise to 2.5BB. BTN calls. Flop: 8♣6♠2♥. Your hand has straight draw and backdoor flush potential; you can bet 1.5BB or check-raise.

Remember, the CO is the best non-blind position preflop, but don't overuse it. Keep your range balanced and pay attention to opponent adjustments to maximize value.