What Is the Cutoff in Poker? How to Play It

The cutoff is the seat one to the right of the button, and it’s the second-best position in poker. Only the button and the two blinds act after you, so you can open a wide, aggressive range and steal blinds nearly as freely as the button itself — with one extra player to plan around.

Where the cutoff sits

Going clockwise, the cutoff (CO) is the seat directly before the button. Pre-flop, three players still act after you — the button and both blinds. Post-flop, you act after everyone except the button. That one caveat is the whole difference between the cutoff and the button: a strong seat, just not the strongest.

Why the cutoff is so profitable

The cutoff is close enough to the button to inherit most of its advantages:

• Few players left to act. When it folds to you, three opponents remain — and two of them are stuck in the blinds out of position.
• Steal equity. Raising here wins the blinds outright a large share of the time, before anyone sees a flop.
• Frequent last action. If the button folds (common) or flat-calls, you’re the effective in-position player for the rest of the hand.

The catch is the button. When the button 3-bets or calls, you’ll be out of position to them post-flop. That’s why the cutoff range is a notch tighter than the button’s — you can’t ignore the one seat that outranks you. For the underlying principle, see why acting last wins.

Cutoff opening range

A solid “it folds to me” opening range from the cutoff runs about 27% of hands:

Hand group	Examples	Notes
All pairs	22–AA	Set value plus playability
Suited aces	A2s–AKs	Flush and blocker value
Broadways	KQ, KJ, QJ, JTo+	Beat blind defense ranges
Suited connectors	65s–T9s	Disguised, in-position playability
Better offsuit	A9o+, KTo+, QTo+	Strong enough despite the button behind

Compared with the button, you drop the weakest offsuit gappers (K9o, T8o) — hands that need pure last action to be worth it. Dial exact frequencies in preflop ranges.

Cutoff vs button, at a glance

Factor	Cutoff	Button
Players left to act	3	2
Post-flop position	In, except vs button	Always in
Opening range	~27%	~45%
Best move	Cut off the button	Steal + apply pressure

Worked example: cutting off the button

It folds to you in the cutoff with A♥ T♥. You raise. The button is a tight, straightforward player who folds anything but premiums.

• The button folds (as expected), and so do the blinds. You win the pot uncontested — a clean blind steal with a hand that also plays well if called.
• Had you limped or folded, you’d have handed that button player the chance to raise and take control. Raising cut off his positional advantage before he could use it.

Now compare the same A♥ T♥ when a loose-aggressive player sits on the button. Here you might tighten up or flat less, because he’ll 3-bet you and force you to play out of position. Same cards, same seat — the read on the button changes the plan.

How to play the cutoff well

1. Open wide when the button and blinds are passive. Steal freely; this is free money over time.
2. Respect an aggressive button. Tighten your opens and be ready to fold to 3-bets rather than bloat pots out of position.
3. 3-bet earlier openers for value and as a bluff — your position over the blinds makes it work.
4. Don’t limp. Limping surrenders the initiative that makes the seat valuable.

Playing the cutoff post-flop

Because you’re usually in position (only the button can outrank you), the cutoff rewards the same aggressive, information-driven play as the button — with one adjustment:

• When the button folds pre-flop, you’re effectively on the button for the rest of the hand. Play accordingly: c-bet flexibly, take free cards on draws, and control the pot with last action.
• When the button calls or 3-bets, you’re now out of position to a strong range. Tighten your continuing hands and avoid bloating pots without a clear plan.
• Against the blinds only, attack relentlessly. They defend wide but play badly out of position, so your steals keep printing on later streets.

The read on that one player behind you — the button — is what should shape every cutoff decision after the flop.

Put it together

The cutoff is your second money seat: open wide, cut off the button, and pressure the blinds — while keeping one eye on the one player who still outranks you. Master it alongside playing the button, then apply blind-stealing at the tables through cash game strategy.