Poker term
Cutoff
The seat directly to the right of the button. Second-best position at the table, and the spot from which players most often try to steal the blinds.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cutoff in poker?
The seat immediately to the right of the button — the second-best position at the table. Only the button acts after you.
Where does the name come from?
From cutting off the button: raising from this seat to deny the button the chance to open the pot in position. If the button folds, you inherit the best position for the rest of the hand.
How wide should you open from the cutoff?
Wide — typically somewhere around a quarter to a third of hands in six-max play, narrower at a full table. Only two players can act behind you, and one of them can be folded off with the right sizing, which is what makes stealing from here profitable.