Limp Raising in Poker

The 'limp raise' is a deceptive play in poker and describes a situation where a player limps into a pot in the hope that a player behind then raises the pot. When the raise comes, the pot is then re-raised. Often the limp raise induces more money into the pot and is especially effective when up against super agro players.

It's often used with starting hands like AA or KK. The problem with the play is that you introduce an amount of risk that you wouldn't have if you had raised with the hand initially. You may price players into the pot, especially if there are enough players who called the bet initially or the player picks up top pair or a good draw. This isn't a bad thing. In order to make money off your premium starting hands, you need to get players to commit into the pot. Without risking anything, your unlikely to earn.

Deception plays an important part of any poker game. Ensuring your opponents think your weak when you're strong and strong when you're weak will positively impact your bottom line. Through limping into a pot, your opponents will think you are weak (as you didn't raise). When you post the raise, many less skilled players will stick along for the ride until they're sure you've got them beaten.

This can be an effective play particularly in the later in the stages of a tournament when the blinds are BIG. There's considerably more to try to steal and not many limpers will get the reward of a cheap flop.