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Poker glossary

Cut-off (CO)

What it means

The cut-off (CO) is the position immediately to the right of the dealer button at a poker table. It’s the second-to-last player to act preflop and postflop, making it the second-best position in poker. The name originates from home games where this player would traditionally cut the deck before the deal.

How it works at the table

In a 6-max game, the cut-off acts fourth preflop and fourth or fifth postflop depending on blind action. With 100bb effective stacks, a CO player might open-raise to 2.5bb with K♦ Q♦ after three folds. If the button folds, they’ll have position on both blinds throughout the hand. When the flop comes Q♠ 7♣ 3♥ and the blinds check, the CO can continuation bet 3.5bb into the 6.5bb pot with confidence, knowing they control the action for the rest of the hand.

Strategic context

The cut-off enjoys nearly button-level advantages with slightly less risk of being 3-bet. You can open roughly 25-30% of hands from this seat - wider than middle position but tighter than the button. The CO plays a crucial role in stealing blinds and attacking passive buttons. When the button is a tight player, the cut-off essentially inherits button privileges. Strong players exploit this by widening their range against specific button tendencies.

Common mistakes

Players often treat the cut-off like middle position, playing too tight and missing profitable stealing opportunities. Another error is ignoring button tendencies - opening the same range whether the button is a calling station or a nit wastes fold equity. Many players also fail to adjust their 3-betting strategy from the CO, either never 3-betting light or doing it too frequently without considering the opener’s position.

The cut-off works in tandem with the button to form late position, the most profitable seats in poker. Understanding CO dynamics requires mastering positional play, blind stealing, and 3-bet defense. The relationship between CO and button resembles that between the hijack and CO, but with higher stakes given the proximity to the blinds.