Limp
Action Level · Beginner Aliases: open limp, limping in
Limping means entering the pot preflop for one big blind when nobody has raised.
What is Limp
A limp is entering the pot preflop for exactly one big blind while no one in front has raised. The first player to do this is open limping; if someone has already limped and you match the same price, you are limping behind. This is different from calling a raise, and the two should not be confused. Limping looks cheap, but it gives up the initiative and offers players behind a good price to join a multiway pot. In most cash game situations, raising or folding as the first player in is clearer. Certain live tables, short-stacked tournament strategies and blind-versus-blind spots can still have a deliberately designed limping range.
On the felt
Table6-max cash game
PositionUTG
FlopPreflop
ActionEnter for 1BB with no raise in front
Example
Everyone folds to you under the gun and you put in 1BB without raising — that is an open limp. If the cutoff had already raised to 2.5BB, paying to enter would be a call, not a limp.
Common mistakes
- Calling every preflop call a limp. It is only a limp when nobody has raised and you enter for exactly one big blind.
- Thinking limping is low risk because it is cheap. It often surrenders the initiative and drags you into awkward multiway pots.
Related terms
All-in
Going all-in means putting every remaining chip you have into the pot.
Bluff
A bluff is a bet made with a weak hand, aiming to make better hands fold.
Call
Calling means matching the current bet to stay in the hand.
Check
Checking means passing the action without putting in chips when there is no bet to face.
Check-Raise
A check-raise means checking first, then raising after an opponent bets on the same street.
Continuation Bet
A continuation bet is a bet on the flop by the player who raised last before it.