Cutoff CO Opening Range Guide

Position Scenario Description

The Cutoff (CO) is the position to the right of the dealer in Texas Hold'em, generally considered the third-best position (after the button and the hijack). Because the CO acts later post-flop and can steal blinds from the button and blinds, its opening range can be wider than middle position. However, the possibility of counterattacks from the button and blinds must also be considered.

Recommended Range (Text Description)

Generally, the recommended preflop raising range from the CO is about 20%-25% of starting hands, with specific hand types as follows:

• Strong Hands (about top 8%): All pairs (22+), all suited connectors (e.g., AQs, AKs), all offsuit broadways (AQo+).
• Playable Hands (about 12%-17%): Medium pairs (77-TT), suited connectors (e.g., KQs, QJs, JTs), suited Aces (e.g., A2s-A5s), offsuit connectors (e.g., KQo, QJo), some small suited connectors (e.g., T9s, 98s).
• Mixed Hands (about remaining 3%-5%): Add small suited connectors (e.g., 87s, 76s), some weak suited Aces (A6s-A9s), and some offsuit broadways (e.g., ATo, KJo) depending on the situation.

Note: The above range is for a standard 100bb deep-stack cash game with minimal ante. Adjust dynamically in actual play.

Range Construction Logic

The CO range is built on the following principles:

1. Position Advantage: Post-flop, the CO acts later than earlier positions, gaining more information, so more speculative hands can be played.
2. Steal Value: After a CO raise, the button and blinds may fold, allowing you to win the pot outright. Therefore, include hands with showdown value or post-flop potential (e.g., small suited connectors).
3. Pressure Defense: Consider the 3-bet range of the button and blinds. Against tight players, widen your range; against loose-aggressive players, tighten your range or call more.

Typically, the CO's opening range is a mix of a linear range and a polarized range:

• Linear Range: Includes all strong and medium hands for value raises.
• Polarized Range: Includes some marginal hands (e.g., small pairs, suited connectors) to balance the range and increase bluff frequency.

Adjustment Factors

The CO range is not fixed; adjust based on these factors:

• Opponent Type: If the button or blinds are tight (high fold-to-raise), increase steal frequency by adding more small suited connectors and weak Aces. If opponents are loose-aggressive (high 3-bet frequency), tighten your range, play only strong hands, and consider calling or 4-betting after a 3-bet.
• Stack Depth: In deep stacks (>100bb), play more suited connectors and profitable speculative hands. In shallow stacks (<40bb), mainly play strong hands and reduce marginal hands.
• Antes: With ante, the pot is larger, making steals more profitable; widen your range accordingly.
• Position Dynamics: If all earlier players fold, the CO's open-raise has higher expected value. If someone limps in front, consider an isolation raise range.

GTO Reference

Under GTO (Game Theory Optimal) framework, the CO's opening raise frequency is typically about 22%-28% (depending on antes and pot odds). Below is a simplified example (no ante, 100bb, opponent GTO):

• Raise hands: 22+, A2s+, K9s+, Q9s+, J9s+, T8s+, 97s+, 86s+, 75s+, 64s+, 54s, ATo+, KTo+, QTo+, JTo
• Fold hands: Everything else (e.g., T2o, 92o, etc.)

Note: Actual GTO ranges vary based on opponent strategies; this is only a textbook reference.

Practical Application

In practice, the CO's opening strategy can follow these steps:

1. Basic Strategy: Use the recommended range above, adjusting slightly for opponent tendencies. Always raise when you are the first to enter the pot (unless you employ a limping strategy, which is generally not recommended).
2. Steal Timing: When the button and blinds are tight or passive players, raise more often with small pairs and suited connectors.
3. Facing a 3-bet: With strong hands (QQ+, AK), 4-bet or shove; with medium hands (e.g., KQs, TT), call; with marginal hands (e.g., small suited connectors), fold.
4. Leverage Post-flop Advantage: The CO can effectively choose to continuation bet or check post-flop, using a wide range to increase bluff frequency.

Examples:

• Tight table (most have high fold-to-raise): Expand raising range to 30%, including all suited connectors, all pairs, and all Ace-high hands.
• Loose-aggressive table (frequent 3-bets): Shrink raising range to 15%, only playing strong pairs and broadways.

Remember: The core of the CO position is to use position to steal blinds while maintaining a balanced range to avoid frequent 3-bet exploitation from the button.