Cutoff Resteal Frequency
Cutoff Resteal Frequency
The percentage of times a player in the cutoff position reraises (3-bets) when facing a steal raise from a later position (typically the button or small blind).
Overview
Cutoff Resteal Frequency (CRF) is a poker statistic used primarily in no-limit hold’em to measure how often a player in the cutoff (CO) responds to a steal attempt by re-raising (3-betting) rather than calling or folding. The term "resteal" refers to a 3-bet intended to punish a weak open-raise that is perceived as a steal—often made from late positions like the button or small blind.
Interpretation
A high CRF (e.g., >10%) indicates an aggressive player who regularly attacks steal attempts from the button or small blind. This can be profitable if the opponent is opening too wide, but it also exposes the cutoff to being 4-bet or trapped. A low CRF (e.g., <3%) suggests a passive approach or a player who only resteals with strong hands. The optimal frequency depends on opponent tendencies, stack sizes, and game flow.
Example
In a typical cash game, the button raises to 3 big blinds. The cutoff has the option to fold, call, or 3-bet. If the cutoff 3-bets with hands like AQ+, 99+, or occasionally suited connectors, his CRF might be around 8-12%. A player who only resteals with AA/KK will have a very low CRF (1-2%).
Usage in HUDs
Many tracking programs display CRF as a dedicated stat or derive it from positional 3-bet stats. It is often expressed as a percentage of total opportunities to resteal (i.e., when facing a steal open-raise from the button or small blind). Some definitions exclude 3-bets from the big blind, as those are typically considered "defense" rather than resteals.
Strategic Considerations
- Exploiting weak stealers: If the button opens very wide, a higher CRF can force him to tighten up or fold too much.
- Balancing your range: A resteal range should include both value hands and bluffs to avoid being exploited.
- Position matters: Restealing from the cutoff gives you worse relative position (the original raiser acts after you post-flop), so bluffs work best when you have fold equity.
- Stack depth: Deep stacks reduce the effectiveness of resteals because opponents can call with speculative hands. Short stacks increase the urgency to protect blinds.
Limitations
CRF alone does not capture the strength of the opponent’s steal range or the board structure. It should be used in conjunction with other stats like Fold to 3-Bet, Steal % from button, and 4-Bet range. Also, the sample size must be large enough (>100 opportunities) to be reliable.