Limper
A limper is a player who enters the pot by calling rather than raising. Before the flop in Hold'em, a player who just calls the big blind is limping in.
The simple explanation
If you call the big blind instead of raising, you are a limper. Limping is common among beginners.
A closer look
Strong players usually raise or fold before the flop, because limping gives the others a cheap chance to see a flop and gives up the chance to win the pot at once. Limpers are a good target: a raise to isolate them is a common play. Limping can be right in some situations, for example in the small blind.
A practical example
A player calls the big blind of 2 with Q♦ 7♠. He is a limper.
Full explanation
A limper is a player who enters the pot by calling rather than raising. Before the flop in Hold’em, a player who just calls the big blind is limping in.
A limper enters the pot by calling.
It is common among beginners.
Strong players usually raise or fold.
Raise to isolate limpers.
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.