Many poker players believe that position is the most important aspect while playing poker online games. The player sits in the right of the dealer button position in a game. It is the second best position in the poker hand. It is also known as the cutoff seat and abbreviated as CO.
Origins of the Poker Nickname Cutoff
There are several explanations for why this position is called the cutoff. One is in a friendly game where the button position is also the dealer; the player to the right of the dealer would cut the cards after the shuffle. It’s not the case while playing in a casino or poker room and there is a dedicated dealer and the players don’t cut the deck after the shuffle.
Another theory is that the name stems from the position being a good one to cutoff the three players after him when placing the bet after the deal. The player who is in the cutoff position can raise and intimidate the players in the button, big blind and small positions to fold.
Advantages of Cutoff Position in the Game
In Texas Holdem, the order of seats is small blind, big blind, cutoff, under the gun and button with the dealer, positioned to take action after the button position. If there are more than 5 players, the others are positioned between the under the gun and cutoff position. The button position moves with each hand so that the players will have a new position for each hand.
On the deal, the players are given their two pocket cards and the starting with the under the gun position, they have the chance to fold their hand, raise or call. The cutoff position has the advantage to know how the players before him are playing their hands and only 3 players after him. If other players have all folded, it is a good position from which to call or raise to intimidate the button, big blind and small blind into folding so you can steal the blinds. If the cutoff has a strong hand and other players have called, it is a good position to raise.
After the flop, if the cutoff hasn’t folded, either he is the last player to play the hand or the second tolast if the button player hasn’t folded. This is a strong position as the player gains knowledge from how the players before him are betting their hands.
The cutoff player is in a better position to play marginally strong hands compared to the players in positions that play earlier in the sequence. In this position, you can play a looser game. You aren’t the only player at the table who understands that and the opponents will expect more aggressive and looser play from the players in the button and cutoff positions. You need to use some good tactics and read where the players in the blind positions are likely to defend them.
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