Limp
To limp is to enter the pot before the flop by only calling the big blind instead of raising. A player who does this is a limper. It is usually seen as a passive and weak play.
The simple explanation
Limping means paying the minimum to see the flop. For example, in a $1/$2 game, the first player to act calls $2 instead of raising. Strong players generally avoid it, because a raise gives them the initiative and a chance to win the pot without a fight.
A closer look
Limping has few advantages. You cannot win the pot before the flop, you give the blinds a good price to call and you tell other players that your hand is not strong. Occasionally it is done with a strong hand, to trap, or from the small blind in a heads-up game. Players often exploit limpers by raising to isolate them. The small blind can complete, or limp, against the big blind, which is a different, smaller situation.
A practical example
In a $1/$2 game, a player with 10♥ 8♦ in early position calls $2 rather than raising. He has limped.
Full explanation
To limp is to enter the pot before the flop by only calling the big blind instead of raising. A player who does this is a limper. It is usually seen as a passive and weak play.
To limp means to just call the big blind before the flop.
It is considered a passive play.
Strong players prefer to raise.
Players often raise against a limper to isolate him.
Limping
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
Read the example transcript
Player A has the button (BTN) and posts the 1-chip small blind (SB). Player B posts the 2-chip big blind (BB).
- Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
- Player A BTN / SB 1010 of hearts (Th)88 of diamonds (8d) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB KKing of clubs (Kc)33 of spades (3s) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 4 chips
Player A on the button and small blind calls the 2-chip big blind by adding only 1 chip. Entering the pot by calling instead of raising is a limp.
- Player A BTN / SB 1010 of hearts (Th)88 of diamonds (8d) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Player B BB KKing of clubs (Kc)33 of spades (3s) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.