Today let's depart from our normal discussion on Limit Hold'em and talk about whether or not to limp in when playing No-Limit Hold'em. There are basically two schools of thought on this subject and those of you who play No-Limit see players take both approaches. So which is correct? To limp or not to limp.........that is the question.
Those who like to limp feel they can see some cheap flops with marginal hands and maybe connect to a powerhouse and take down a big pot. If the flop doesn't hit them they can get away from the hand easily for a modest investment. If the flop does hit them they feel they are in position to take someone's whole stack. Of course, they may only have the flop "touch" their hands and if they don't possess the discipline to get away from the hand it is their stack that becomes vulnerable.
Those who feel strongly that, when entering a pot first, you must bring it in for a raise believe this course of action will discourage those players who are looking to get in cheap and may well hit the flop. They feel that if your holding is not worthy of a raise it should be mucked and to limp with marginal hands is just asking for trouble. Both of these mind sets seem to have their own merits and some players embrace just one of these tools and never deviate.
So again, which one is correct? Personally, I think there should be room in your arsenal of techniques for both approaches. In tournament play limping early when everyone may be playing somewhat cautiously can get you a look at some extra flops that just may connect well with marginal holdings. The main aspect to consider is how the table is playing. Once again, it's of paramount importance to learn your opponents' tendencies. If you're seated early in a tournament at a passive table then limping may hook you up with a monster. However, if one or more of your tablemates is not allowing anyone to see cheap flops then that fact must alter your play because you almost know you will be raised. In that case, raising first is usually the optimum play. Of course, another aspect of limping is when you know you have one or more aggressive players behind you and therefore can limp from early position with big hands relying on someone else to raise so you may re-raise.
Here's my favorite play when I find myself at a table full of "Fishermen" who are limping in early in a No-Limit tournament. Normally when I enter a pot I bring it in for a raise 3 or 4 times the big blind. However, when I find myself on the button with three or four limpers in front of me I figure that they are trying to see a cheap flop with marginal hands so I raise it three times the big blind plus one for each of the limpers. So, if there are three limpers I'll raise it six times the big blind and more often than not pick up the pot. Of course, I like to have some outs to go along with this move. It can accumulate some chips early on with little risk as the blinds are relatively small early on Our goal for this time together is to once again not play "formula poker" by listening to the pundits that preach you must either bring it in for a raise or to try limping in yourself. Always assess the situation and make the decision to limp or raise based upon how the table is playing.
See you next "TIME".
