- What Is the Cutoff Position in Poker?
- Cutoff vs Hijack vs Button: Key Differences
- Why the Cutoff Position Is So Powerful
- Pre-Flop Strategy: Opening From the Cutoff
- Stealing the Blinds From the Cutoff
- Playing Post-Flop From the Cutoff
- Dealing With Aggression Behind You
- Cutoff Strategy in Cash Games vs Tournaments
- Common Mistakes Players Make From the Cutoff
- Final Thoughts: Mastering the Cutoff Position
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
In poker, your position at the table is power. Where you sit relative to the dealer button determines how much information you have, how wide you can play, and how profitable your decisions can be. One of the most misunderstood yet highly profitable seats is the cutoff position in poker.
The cutoff is the seat directly to the right of the dealer button. It is literally called the cutoff because it “cuts off” the rest of the table from acting after you—except for the button and the blinds. For skilled poker players, this position offers a strong positional advantage, especially in cash games.
What Is the Cutoff Position in Poker?
At the poker table, the cutoff position is the second-latest position to act pre-flop, sitting just before the dealer button. In a full-ring game, the typical order of positions in poker looks like this:
Early position (UTG, UTG+1)
Middle position
Hijack
Cutoff
Button
Small blind
Big blind
Compared to early position, the player in the cutoff benefits from seeing how most players act before making a decision. This allows you to open a wider range of poker hands and apply pressure more effectively.
The cutoff and button together are the most aggressive and profitable seats at the table when played correctly.
Cutoff vs Hijack vs Button: Key Differences
Understanding the relationship between poker positions such as hijack, cutoff, and button is critical.
Hijack: Still a middle-to-late position, but more players remain to act behind you. Opening ranges should be disciplined.
Cutoff: A major jump in profitability. You can open wider, steal the blinds more often, and control pots.
Button: Maximum positional advantage. You act last post-flop in every hand.
The cutoff sits at the sweet spot where aggression becomes highly profitable without the constant pressure faced by the blinds.
Why the Cutoff Position Is So Powerful
The cutoff combines information, leverage, and flexibility.
Key advantages:
Most players act before you
You can steal the blinds frequently
You play many hands in position post-flop
You can pressure tight players behind you
When the button or blinds are passive, the cutoff can function almost like the button itself.
This positional advantage allows strong players to dictate the action rather than react to it.
Pre-Flop Strategy: Opening From the Cutoff
A solid pre-flop cutoff strategy starts with opening the right hands while staying adaptable.
Recommended Cutoff Opening Range
From the cutoff, you can profitably raise a wide range of hands, including:
Premium hands: AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AK
Strong Broadway hands: AQ, AJ, KQ, KJ, QJ
Medium pairs: TT–66
Suited aces: A2s–A9s
Suited connectors and gappers: T9s, 98s, 87s, J9s
Occasional suited kings and queens
This range is much wider than early position but still tighter than the button.
Your goal pre-flop is to build pots when ahead and pick up uncontested chips when opponents fold.
Stealing the Blinds From the Cutoff
One of the biggest reasons the cutoff in poker is profitable is the ability to steal the blinds.
When players in the small blind and big blind defend too tightly, raising from the cutoff becomes extremely profitable—even with marginal hands.
Effective Blind-Stealing Tips:
Use consistent raise sizes
Target tight or passive blinds
Avoid stealing too wide against aggressive 3-bettors
Pay attention to how often blinds fold vs call
Even small blind steals add up significantly over time, especially in cash game formats.
Playing Post-Flop From the Cutoff
Post-flop play is where the cutoff truly shines.
Since you often act after most players, you gain:
Better control over pot size
More accurate hand reading
Increased bluffing opportunities
Post-Flop Best Practices:
Continuation bet more often against one opponent
Pot control with medium-strength hands
Apply pressure on boards that favor your range
Avoid bloating pots out of position against the button
Position allows you to extract value with strong hands and lose less with weaker ones.
Dealing With Aggression Behind You
Not every cutoff open will go smoothly. Sometimes, the button player or blinds will fight back.
How to Adjust:
Against tight players: Fold weaker hands, continue with strong value
Against aggressive 3-bettors: Defend with hands that play well post-flop
Against loose callers: Value bet thinner and reduce bluffing
Being aware of who acts after you is essential to long-term success.
Cutoff Strategy in Cash Games vs Tournaments
While the fundamentals are similar, cash game cutoff strategy allows more freedom.
In cash games, stacks are deeper, so speculative hands gain value
In tournaments, ICM and stack sizes may require tighter opens
Blind pressure matters more late in tournaments
Regardless of format, discipline and awareness are key.
Common Mistakes Players Make From the Cutoff
Even experienced poker players leak chips from this position.
Avoid These Errors:
Opening too wide against aggressive players
Ignoring the button’s tendencies
Over-bluffing multiway pots
Playing passively despite positional advantage
The cutoff rewards controlled aggression, not reckless play.
Final Thoughts: Mastering the Cutoff Position
The cutoff position in poker is one of the most profitable seats at the table when played with intention. It bridges the gap between middle position and the button, offering flexibility, leverage, and consistent opportunities to accumulate chips.
By understanding position, opening the right hands, stealing the blinds, and using your post-flop edge, you can turn the cutoff into a reliable source of long-term profit.
Master this position, and you’ll notice an immediate improvement in your overall poker strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the cutoff position in poker?
The cutoff is the seat directly to the right of the dealer button. It is one of the latest positions to act pre-flop and offers strong positional advantage.
Is the cutoff better than the hijack?
Yes. The cutoff has fewer players acting behind it, allowing wider opening ranges and more profitable blind steals.
Should you always steal from the cutoff?
No. Blind stealing should depend on the tendencies of the small blind and big blind, as well as stack sizes and table dynamics.
How wide should you open from the cutoff?
Wider than early position but tighter than the button. A balanced mix of value hands and playable speculative hands works best.
