Cut-Off

1. The position one place to the right of the dealer. The cut-off acts right before the dealer does in any hand.

Origin

This position on the table is so named because the player in it has the opportunity to "cut off" the button's positional advantage by raising.

Advantages of the Cut-Off

The cut-off has the same advantages as the button, only to a slightly lesser degree. In the cut-off, you see most of your opponents act before you, so you have a greater knowledge of everyone's potential holdings. The cut-off also gives you a solid chance at stealing the blinds, as if everyone folds to you, you only have three opponents (button, small blind, and big blind) to get past. Additionally, if someone does bet before you, you are in a better position to semi-bluff or initiate a blocking bet with a raise.

Related Terms

Under the Gun, Button, Big Blind, Small Blind, Position