CO 100bb Push Fold

Definition

CO 100bb Push Fold refers to a simplified preflop strategy in no-limit hold'em (NLHE) where the player in the cutoff (CO) position, holding a stack of exactly 100 big blinds, chooses only between shoving all-in or folding. This concept is often used in tournament poker or cash game situations with deep stacks, though it is more common in short-stack or ICM scenarios. The strategy is typically based on a precomputed range that is unexploitable or optimal against specific opponent tendencies.

Usage and Context

The push/fold approach is most frequently discussed in two contexts: short-stack play (typically under 20bb) and as a theoretical exercise for deeper stacks to analyze shoving ranges. For 100bb, it is unusual to restrict decisions to all-in or fold because deep stacks allow for raises, calls, and 3-bets. However, the CO 100bb push fold concept may arise in solver-based analyses exploring the effect of extreme ranges or when the CO faces a particularly tight or aggressive opponent. In practice, a 100bb stack in the cutoff would rarely employ a pure push/fold strategy; instead, players use a balanced range of opens, folds, and occasionally limps. The phrase is more likely to appear in instructional content demonstrating how to construct shoving ranges against known opponent ranges, or in discussions of GTO (Game Theory Optimal) play at various stack depths.

Factors to Consider

When evaluating a CO 100bb push/fold decision, key factors include:

• Opponent tendencies: The CO's shoving range against a very tight opponent (who folds most hands except premium pairs) can be wider, as the fold equity is high. Conversely, against a calling station, the shoving range must be value-heavy.
• ICM pressure: In tournaments, chip stacks and payout structures affect push/fold decisions. At 100bb, ICM is less critical than in short-stack scenarios, but it still matters if the tournament is near the money or has steep payout jumps.
• Table image: If the CO has been tight, opponents may expect a narrow range, allowing marginal hands to be shoved profitably. If the CO has been aggressive, opponents may call wider, forcing a tighter shoving range.
• Position of opponents left to act: The button and blinds can have ranges that call light or fold often, influencing the CO's optimal shoving range.

Common Misconceptions

1. Always profitable to shove with any two cards at 100bb: This is false. With 100bb, the risk of being called by a strong hand is significant; shoving weak hands like 72o is usually -EV because opponents can call with a wide range that dominates it.
2. Push/fold is optimal for all stack depths: This is not true. For stacks above 30bb, standard open-raises are typically superior because they preserve stack and allow postflop play. The push/fold simplification sacrifices postflop edge for simplicity.
3. Don't need to adjust for opponent skills: In reality, exploitative adjustments are crucial. A GTO-based push/fold range may not exploit fish who call too wide; similarly, against nits, a wider shove range is profitable.

Conclusion

The CO 100bb push fold is a theoretical construct rather than a practical strategy. While it can serve as a learning tool to understand range construction and fold equity, actual deep-stack play involves a richer decision tree. Players should use it cautiously, recognizing that 100bb stacks allow for more nuanced play. For tournament or cash game success, mastering standard open-raising and 3-betting ranges at this depth is more valuable than relying on a push/fold heuristic.