Strategy Article: Cutoff Opening Range Guide (Part 1/2)

Position Explanation

The Cutoff (CO) is the position immediately to the right of the Button (BTN), between UTG+1 and BTN in a 6-handed table. The CO is the last regular position with preflop initiative, as the blinds come after BTN. Compared to early position (EP), the CO can open or call more flexibly, and always has positional advantage postflop (unless BTN also enters the pot). Therefore, the CO's opening range is wider than EP's, but still needs to filter out hands that are easily re-raised or difficult to play postflop.

Recommended Range (Text Description of Hand Types)

Typical GTO reference range (6-max, no limpers, effective stacks ~100BB):

• Open Raise (about 22%-25% of hands):

  • All pockets: 22-AA
  • All suited connectors: Axs (A2s-A5s) to Kxs, plus 54s+ (54s, 65s, 76s, etc.)
  • All suited one-gappers: e.g., J9s, T8s, 97s, 86s, 75s, 64s, 53s
  • Some unsuited broadways: AKo, AQo, AJo, KQo, KJo, QJo (about 50% frequency)
  • Mid-strong Ax: A9o-A6o (about 50% frequency)
  • Some suited/off-suit connectors: T9o, 98o (about 50% frequency)

• Fold: Weak unsuited hands (e.g., Q9o, J8o, etc.) and low unsuited non-connectors (e.g., 32o, 43o).

At the actual table, against tight-passive players you can widen to 30%+, including more suited connectors and weak Ax; against aggressive players you can tighten to under 20%.

Range Construction Logic

Motivations for CO open-raising:

1. Stealing and Pressure: The blinds (especially SB) will fold many marginal hands; a CO raise can win the pot immediately. Even if called, postflop positional advantage compensates for weaker hand strength.

2. Linear Range vs. Polarized: The CO is better off using a linear range (all raising hands similar in strength) rather than a polarized one (very strong + very weak). Because BTN is still behind, opening with very weak hands makes you vulnerable to BTN 3-bets. Therefore, all hands in the range have playability, rather than some being garbage bluffs.

3. Balancing Value and Bluffs: All pockets have absolute value (set-mining ability), suited connectors and one-gappers have potential to form strong draws, and big Ax can dominate weaker Ax of opponents postflop. This range construction yields many continuable combos on the flop, avoiding frequent folds.

Adjustment Factors

• Positional Player Style: If BTN is a blind defender or frequently 3-bets, tighten the range (e.g., fold KJo, QJo, A5s, etc.) to avoid disadvantageous spots. If BTN is tight, widen to all suited connectors and even some Axo.

• Blind Style: If the big blind calls frequently, remove some hands with poor reverse implied odds (e.g., small suited connectors) and keep more high cards. If the small blind is aggressive with 3-bets, reduce the weight of KQo, KJo.

• Effective Stack Depth: <30BB, favor high cards and pairs, reduce speculative suited connectors. >150BB, suited connectors increase in value; include more structured hands.

• Limpers: If there are limpers from early position, the CO's raising range should tighten, as limpers may be trapping. In that case, raise only value hands (ATs+, 99+, KQ+, etc.) with some suited connectors for balance.

GTO Reference

According to GTO theory (based on PokerSnowie or solver simulations), the CO's standard raising frequency at 6-max 100BB depth is about 19%-23%, but varies by scenario. Typical raise size: 3BB + 1BB per limper. For example, 3BB with no limpers; 4BB with one limper.

GTO emphasizes frequency balance: Preflop, the CO's 4-bet range is typically QQ+, AKs, and some A5s as bluffs. The 3-bet calling range includes TT-JJ, AQo, AJs, KQo, etc. Note that GTO is a reference; in practice against low-stakes players, exploitative adjustments are more effective.

Practical Application

1. Stealing with Position: When the blinds fold frequently (e.g., SB fold rate >70%), the CO can raise with any two cards, even T2o. But be mindful of frequency; suggest stealing once or twice per orbit to avoid being targeted.

2. Facing 3-bets: Against a BTN 3-bet, the CO's defending range typically:

   • 4-bet shove or 5-bet: KK+, AKs (can mix A5s for balance)
   • Call 3-bet: 99-QQ, AQo, AJs, ATs, KQs, KJs, QJs (about half frequency) If the 3-bet comes from the blinds, you can slightly widen the calling range.

3. Postflop Strategy Example: Raise with AT from CO, big blind calls, flop K84 rainbow. CO can bet 1/3 pot for value. If opponent calls and turn doesn't improve, usually check and give up to avoid showdown.

4. Exploiting Tight-Passive Players: When blinds fold too much, widen to all suited connectors and one-gappers, and increase c-bet frequency. If you notice a player frequently folds to c-bet, increase sustained bluffs.

Common Questions

Q: Why can the cutoff play a wider range than early positions?

A: Because the cutoff always has positional advantage postflop (unless the button enters the pot), and after early positions fold, the cutoff becomes the first active raiser, able to steal blinds and control the pot.

Q: How to handle a button 3-bet?

A: Usually 4-bet with QQ+, AKs; call with 99-JJ, AQo, AJs, KQs. Avoid calling with KJo, ATo, and other easily dominated hands.

Q: How to adjust the cutoff range with a short stack (e.g., 40BB)?

A: Remove speculative hands (like 54s, Q9s), strengthen high cards and medium pairs. Increase c-bet frequency postflop, and consider shoving for value.