Limp
Entering the pot pre-flop by just calling the big blind instead of raising. Open-limping is generally weak; limping behind other limpers, or limping short-stacked in tournaments, has legitimate uses.
Frequently asked questions
What does limp mean in poker?
To call the big blind rather than raise or fold before the flop. An open-limp is the first player in doing it; an over-limp is calling after someone else has already limped.
Is limping a mistake?
Open-limping usually is. It gives up the chance to win the pot immediately, invites multiple opponents into a small pot, and caps your range in a way good players exploit. The standard advice — raise or fold — holds for most situations.
When is limping correct?
In tournaments with very shallow stacks, some solver solutions limp from the small blind. It is also defensible from the small blind in deep cash games against passive opposition, and over-limping with suited connectors behind several limpers can be fine given the price.