Small blind limping range

#1 March 30th, 2017, 7:35 AM

Hello!

Recently, while watching streams/youtube videos I've noticed more and more how people tend to limp in small blind (it seems that Tonka loves this move the most).

Could somebody please explain to me how to develop a SB limping range, what hands to include, in what kind of situations is it profitable etc, as this is a completely new concept to me.

Thank you in advance!

#2 March 30th, 2017, 1:31 PM

I do this move only if the BB is a pretty passive player and he doesn't like to 3bet or squeezes a lot. I complete with hands like one gappers or connectors and not necessarily suited and sometimes with small Axs. In a tough tournament an Axs is better to 3bet it but I don't play yet in very tough fields. Generally I play semi-weak starting hands which will be well disguised on the flop but there are not strong enough[or they don't have much post flop EV] in order to 3 bet them.

Last but not least imho I do that move more often in early stages rather than when I am deep because the field is full with weak players in the beginning.

#3 March 30th, 2017, 2:31 PM

If there are antes in play I limp my whole playing range in tournaments. Not sure if it's ideal, but I like it because you're gonna get a lot of cheap flops for free and the pot isn't too bloated while you're out of position. Also, you usually get a decent price to call if the BB raises you.

If I'm up against a weak BB I'll probably even limp hands like Q4o, 72s etc. Against a more aggressive BB I'll tighten up a bit.

If you get raised your options are open again: limp-folding is fine with the bottom of your range, limp-calling is fine with playable hands and you can also elect to limp-raise with both monsters and bluffs.

Not saying this is an optimal strategy as I think basically no one has figured out SB strategy yet, but for me it works quite well.

#4 March 30th, 2017, 2:44 PM

It depends on the opponents at your table. If you are against most passive players then a wide limping range is ok, other than that i would attempt limping with 55+ to 99 so incase of a open raise by bb you could set mine, depending on the size raise. But for me 10s+,AQs+ you wating to be opening raising from the small blind when it gets back to you, considering everyone limped

#5 March 30th, 2017, 2:46 PM

Originally Posted by Lerts

It depends on the opponents at your table. If you are against most passive players then a wide limping range is ok, other than that i would attempt limping with 55+ to 99 so incase of a open raise by bb you could set mine, depending on the size raise. But for me 10s+,AQs+ you wating to be opening raising from the small blind when it gets back to you, considering everyone limped

This topic is about open limping, so the situation that occurs when all players have folded to you.

#6 March 30th, 2017, 3:51 PM

I don't like limping strange hands at any position . It is my opinion . You can find yourself in very uncomfortable situations often by limping some strong hands

#7 March 30th, 2017, 4:25 PM

Yes you should learn how to play yours blinds. This is the most misplayed position on the poker table. People generally miss out on great value if played properly. It become mainly a math question, if you are not looking at it from that perspective then most likely you are misplaying.

#8 March 30th, 2017, 5:40 PM

Small blind is the ONLY position I open limp from. I try to never open limp a pot because if it folds to you, the correct play is (usually) to raise. If it folds to me on the sb, I usually still prefer to raise to take down the pot, but I will limp about 40% of the time there. More if my opponent is weak.

#9 March 31st, 2017, 8:38 AM

Thank you for the answers!

First of all, sorry for the lack of information! I meant open limping indeed, so the case where everyone has folded to you and you're heads up with the BB.

So, in addition to your answers, which I highly appreciate, I did some research myself and found out a few things:

It seems that it's a profitable move not only against a super passive player but also against a super aggressive player, who 3-bets his BB a lot, with hands you want to see the flop and are likely ahead of your opponents range but can't play OOP in a 3-bet pot. So instead of raise-folding you can choose to limp-call. To balance, you could also mix in monster hands, and/or sometimes go for a limp-raise. Thoughts?

Also, supposedly SB is a losing position anyway, it's basically just how to lose the minimum.

Cheers!

#10 March 31st, 2017, 10:52 AM

With a good hand, I usually do 2-2. 5bet. I drop the bad one.

#11 March 31st, 2017, 12:00 PM

Personally, I NEVER limp from SB, in an unopened pot, I always raise 2.5 reason being, 3 out of 4 times, BB folds. Already it is profitable. By limping, we are giving BB a chance to squeeze or hit with a free flop.

#12 March 31st, 2017, 3:02 PM

Originally Posted by john2fingers

Personally, I NEVER limp from SB, in an unopened pot, I always raise 2.5 reason being, 3 out of 4 times, BB folds. Already it is profitable. By limping, we are giving BB a chance to squeeze or hit with a free flop.

lol don't tell me you are profitable from the SB, that's nearly impossible

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Small blind limping range

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