Cutoff

Definition

The cutoff (CO) is the seat immediately to the right of the dealer button. It's the second-best position at the table because you act second-to-last on every post-flop street. You only have the button player acting after you, which means you still get to see most of the table's decisions before making your own.

Example

Six players are at the table. You're in the cutoff. Pre-flop, everyone folds around to you. You look down at K♦ 9♦ — a decent but not great hand. Because you're in a late position with only the button and the two blinds left to act, you decide to raise. The button folds, the small blind folds, and the big blind calls. Now it's just you and the big blind. The flop comes K♠ 7♣ 2♥ — you've hit top pair. The big blind checks, and since you're acting last (the button folded), you have all the information you need to make a confident bet. You bet and the big blind folds. Your position in the cutoff made this whole sequence much easier.

Why It Matters

The cutoff lets you play more hands than you would from early positions, almost like a mini-button. When the button doesn't enter the pot, you effectively become the last player to act post-flop, giving you all the advantages of position. Even when the button does play, you're still in great shape — only one player has more information than you. As you develop your game, you'll find that the button and cutoff are your most profitable seats. Playing them well, with a wider range of hands and more aggression, is one of the fastest ways to improve your results.