limp

A limp is entering the pot preflop by just calling the big blind, without raising. An "open-limp" is a limp by the first player into the pot (distinct from an "over-limp," which limps after others have already limped).

Detailed Explanation

In modern cash-game theory, open-limping is considered close to a mistake for three reasons:

1. Gives up preflop initiative: you're not the last raiser, so you can't make a cbet on the flop
2. Reveals a weak range: limping ranges typically lack strong hands, easy to attack with an isolation raise
3. Multi-way pots dilute equity: limps encourage more players in, reducing the chance of heads-up pots

But there are exceptions where limping is reasonable or optimal:

• SB: in modern GTO solutions, a meaningful portion of SB-vs-BB opens are limps (because SB is always OOP)
• Tournament late short-stack: at very shallow stacks (< 10bb), limp + re-shove is the optimal line for certain ranges
• Extremely loose live tables: when most of the table is limping, mixing in over-limps with trap hands is profitable

Common Use Cases

• Frequent limpers around you: attack with a wide isolation raise
• Limping yourself: only in SB vs BB, specific short-stack tournament spots, or observably loose live games
• Over-limping multi-way: suited connectors with position get a cheap flop