Open Limp
An open limp is entering the pot before the flop by only calling the big blind when nobody else has entered. You are the first player in, and you do not raise.
The simple explanation
If everyone folds to you and you just call, you have open limped. Strong players usually raise instead. Open limping tells the others that you do not have a strong hand, and it gives the blinds a cheap price.
A closer look
Open limping has few advantages. It does not give you a chance to win the pot before the flop, and it invites raises from behind. Players sometimes use it with strong hands to trap, or in games where the others raise too much. Opponents can exploit open limpers by isolating them with a raise. In heads-up play, the small blind can open limp as part of a mixed strategy.
A practical example
In a $1/$2 game, the first player to act calls $2 with 10♥ 8♦. He has open limped.
Full explanation
An open limp is entering the pot before the flop by only calling the big blind when nobody else has entered. You are the first player in, and you do not raise.
An open limp is entering the pot first with only a call.
It is usually weaker than a raise.
Opponents often isolate open limpers.
It sometimes appears in mixed strategies.
Alternative spelling: open-limp, openlimp
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.