CO blind-stealing range
CO blind-stealing range
The set of hands a player in the cutoff position raises with when all previous players have folded, with the primary intention of winning the blinds without contest.
Overview
In no-limit hold'em, the cutoff (CO) is the seat immediately to the right of the button. When action folds to the CO, a raise is often profitable because the remaining players (button, small blind, big blind) hold weak ranges on average. The CO's blind-stealing range is the collection of hands used for this raise, balancing value and bluff to exploit the positional advantage.
Typical Range Construction
A standard CO opening range against typical opponents (100 big blinds deep) includes approximately 25–35% of hands. Premium holdings like AA–TT, AK–AJ, KQ are always raised. The stealing element comes from weaker hands: suited connectors (e.g., 65s–98s), small pairs (22–66), and suited aces (A2s–A9s). These hands have playability postflop but prefer to take down the blinds immediately. The exact percentage adjusts based on table dynamics.
Factors Influencing the Range
- Blind opponents: Tight/weak blinds allow a wider range; aggressive 3-bettors force a narrower, stronger range.
- Stack sizes: Shorter stacks (≤30 BB) favor a tighter range with high-equity hands. Deeper stacks (≥100 BB) enable more speculative hands.
- Position and table image: A loose image may induce more 3-bets, tightening the range. A tight image permits wider steals.
- Game theory optimal (GTO): Solvers suggest a polarized range in equilibrium: strong hands plus weak hands that can fold to 3-bets, avoiding medium-strength hands that struggle postflop.
Common Mistakes
- Over-stealing: Raising too many hands (e.g., Q2o) invites 3-bets and leaks chips.
- Under-stealing: Folding hands like A2s or 55 in the CO wastes profitable opportunities.
- Ignoring stack depth: Deep stacks require more caution; short stacks require more aggression.
Adjustments vs. Different Blind Styles
- Passive blinds (low 3-bet %): Widen range, include more junk hands (e.g., J8s, 96s).
- Aggressive blinds (high 3-bet %): Tighten to hands that can call or re-raise (e.g., KJs+, AT+, 77+).
- Short-stacked blinds: Raise smaller sizing and use a linear range (all strong hands, few bluffs).
Conclusion
A dynamic CO blind-stealing range is essential for a winning strategy. It should adapt to opponents, stack sizes, and table image, balancing the desire to steal with the risk of being 3-bet or played postflop out of position.