"Cutoff" Question

[Gimmlick]

Hi Everyone,
Newbie to poker here... been reading, learning the game of Hold-em.. Must say, I'm having a blast.

Anyway, the more I try to learn the more I seem to run into questions and start asking myself "But Why?".......

I'm learning the basic terms etc.. but when It comes to implementing it or trying to understand the mechanics of the game this is where I run into problems..

For example, I know the Cutoff is the last person before the button, but why is this position so important that it requires it's own name.. Can anyone please explain to me the strategies involving the "Cutoff" and why it's important?

Thanks
Gimmlick

[Jefecaminador]

Its an important position in terms of trying to steal the blinds. If its fold to you and you raise from cutoff, it doesn't look like a steal as much as if you were on the button. Also, if the button folds behind you, you're last to act in the hand so its a very powerful positions.

[MasterShake]

There are three key positions at the table that are extremely important for their influence on how you should play a hand. Small Blind is the worst with the big blind just slightly better and the Dealer spot is the best.

However in certain situations other things need to be considered. Pre-flop, the big blind is a much better position because it gets to act last. Since the person after the big blind must act first at the beginning of the hand, a large percentage of starting hands are no longer playable. Since this spot is talked about so much in poker and holds such importance, it was given a nickname at somepoint to make conversation easier.

The same goes for the cutoff. You are, overall, in the second best position at the table. In order to keep that position, people will often raise to 'steal the button' and steal the blinds, because it's not as obvious that it's a steal from that spot as it would be if you were on the button. If you do get a caller and the dealer folds, you now have the advantage of position if you flop a monster or nothing at all and want to try and steal again on the flop.

[Gimmlick]

Thanks everyone for your replies..

You all make is sound so easy.. like stealling the blinds.. I've run across that term many times.. and is another term which has me baffled. I could go on asking all night.. I just don't want to get to be a pain in the butt for everyone...

It's like information overload. I know, I will eventually grasp all the nuances of this seemingly complicated game.. it's just frustrating :x

Gimmlick

[LeafsFan1122]

Do not hesitate to ask any questions, we will gladly help you.

Stealing the blinds refers to when a player will raise from the button or CO for the sole purpose of getting them to fold and therefore taking their blinds.

When a player is "stealing the blinds" he usually has a mediocre hand.