03-11-08, LearnTexasHoldem:

Limping in Texas Hold'em

One question that commonly arises in Texas hold'em is "to limp or not to limp?" Limping means flat calling the blind rather than coming in with a raise. Some players say never do it, others swear by it. As with many aspects of poker, it often depends on the situation.

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Limping in Limit Texas Hold'em

If you're the first person in the pot in a limit Texas hold'em game, you should almost always raise. Raising gives you control of the hand and lets other players know you are a threat. Furthermore, if you limp and everyone else folds, you have given the big blind the opportunity to compete for the pot with you for free. A raise might have taken the pot uncontested, and in a limit game where bets are fixed, being able to win just the blinds is great for your overall positive expectation.

Limping in No-Limit Texas Hold'em

In no-limit, the situation is a little different. While the amount you can win in a limit pot is restricted by the bet sizes, the amount you can win in a no-limit pot is only restricted by the size of your opponents' stacks. This means it can be highly profitable to see a flop with several players and the opportunity to flop a big hand than to raise and steal the blinds. Furthermore, if you are holding a hand like a small pair or suited connectors, hands that get their value from hitting a specific flop, raising can cost you. If you raise and are re-raised, you will have to fold, since your risk-reward ratio is no longer favorable. If you limp, you may see a flop cheaply, allowing you to get away with minimal damage if you miss and extract serious money from your opponents if you hit.

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