Cutoff Steal Range

What is a Cutoff Steal Range?

In poker, particularly in Texas Hold'em cash games and tournaments, the cutoff (CO) is the seat immediately to the right of the button (dealer). When action folds to the cutoff, the player faces a decision: to open-raise (or “steal”) or to fold. The cutoff steal range defines the hands that a player voluntarily raises with in this situation. Because the cutoff has only two players behind them (the button and the blinds), they are in a strong position to apply pressure and win the blinds without a fight.

Why Steal from the Cutoff?

Stealing blinds is profitable because the blinds are “dead money” – they are forced bets that players may not be willing to defend with weak holdings. The cutoff’s positional advantage over the blinds (acting after them postflop) makes it easier to steal. Moreover, the button, who acts after the cutoff, may also fold often to a cutoff raise, especially if they lack a strong hand. Thus, a cutoff steal range is typically wider than ranges from early positions (UTG, UTG+1, etc.) but narrower than the button’s stealing range.

Factors Determining the Steal Range

Several variables influence how wide a cutoff should steal:

• Blind tendencies: Tight, passive blinds allow wider stealing; aggressive or calling-station blinds require tighter ranges.
• Stack sizes: In tournaments with ICM considerations, deep stacks allow more steals, but short stacks may call or shove lighter.
• Button’s style: A tight button makes stealing safer; a loose, aggressive button may 3-bet frequently, forcing a tighter range.
• Game type: Cash games often permit wider stealing due to deeper stacks; tournament pressure may narrow ranges near the bubble.
• Table image: If you’ve been inactive, a wider steal may get respect; if you’ve raised often, expect more resistance.

Typical Cutoff Steal Range

A standard tight-aggressive cutoff steal range might include:

• All pairs: 22+ (though small pairs may be marginal against large 3-bets)
• Strong aces: A9s+, ATo+
• Broadway cards: K9s+, KTo+, Q9s+, QTo+, J9s+, JTo, T9s+
• Suited connectors: 65s+, 76s+ (some players include all suited connectors down to 54s)

A looser player may add weaker aces (A2s-A8s, A9o), more offsuit Broadway, and more suited gappers (K8s, Q8s, J8s, etc.). In total, a cutoff steal range can range from about 20-30% of hands (tight) to 40% or more (loose).

Adjustments and Counter-Strategies

The cutoff must adjust to opponents’ 3-bet tendencies. If the button or blinds 3-bet frequently, the cutoff should tighten to hands that can call or 4-bet. Conversely, against passive opponents, widening the steal range exploits their weakness. Postflop skill also matters: a player comfortable outplaying opponents in position can steal wider.

Related Terms

• Steal: A raise intended to win the blinds.
• Cutoff: The position one seat right of the button.
• Button: The dealer position, with best postflop position.
• Position: Table location relative to the dealer.
• Open-raise: The first voluntary raise in a round.
• Blind defense: Actions taken by blinds to protect their forced bets.