Limp Strategy

[DiazPoker3101]

Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of loose-passive players on GGPoker who limp their entire range — stuff like unsuited disconnected hands, low pairs, suited junk — always out of position. I can’t seem to find a solid strategy to play against them. I often end up in weird spots postflop.

I’ve tried 3-betting from the button, but they still call, and then on the flop I just can’t find a good way to extract value or apply pressure.

Any advice on how to deal with these maniac limpers?

 

[DiazPoker3101]

Also, does anyone know if this is part of some new strategy — limping the entire range like that? I’m wondering if I’m missing something or if it’s just bad play that somehow works at lower stakes.

 

[dannystanks]

Keep raising them. Stay in position and keep up the pressure.

 

[CRStals]

Danny's right - in position, you punish them by raising and when flops miss them, bet them again and take them to value town. Don't fall into the trap of playing their strategy and limp with them though...

 

[najisami]

All I can add is raise them with decent hands in position, not with any 2. Then bet hard when you hit, they usually don't like to fold.
As to limping as a strategy, I've lately been seeing a lot of limpers everywhere, but still think it sucks. My "everywhere" does not include high stakes, never been there .

 

[DiazPoker3101]

Thank you very much for your replies, they’re really helpful. What do you recommend against these types of players — tightening up the range or widening it? I’ve tried both, but most of the time I still can’t figure out what kind of hand I’m up against. Also, what bet sizing do you think is appropriate? I’ll show you two examples in the next images so you can see how I’m approaching it, hah

 

[fundiver199]

Raise in position and dont go to small. Easy rule is use the size, you would normally open to, and then add the limps. Normal size 2.5 BB + one limper = 3.5 BB. Normal size 2.3 BB + two limpers = 4.3 BB.

From the blinds only raise very strong hands, that dont mind playing a big pot out of position. Check or complete the rest and see a cheap flop. Lead if you connect well, check and fold, if you dont. Occationally you can also checkraise.

 

[DiazPoker3101]

Raise in position and dont go to small. Easy rule is use the size, you would normally open to, and then add the limps. Normal size 2.5 BB + one limper = 3.5 BB. Normal size 2.3 BB + two limpers = 4.3 BB.

From the blinds only raise very strong hands, that dont mind playing a big pot out of position. Check or complete the rest and see a cheap flop. Lead if you connect well, check and fold, if you dont. Occationally you can also checkraise.

Interesting strategy, I like it. I'm going to start implementing it — thanks a lot for the advice

 

[john_entony]

Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of loose-passive players on GGPoker who limp their entire range — stuff like unsuited disconnected hands, low pairs, suited junk — always out of position. I can’t seem to find a solid strategy to play against them. I often end up in weird spots postflop.

I’ve tried 3-betting from the button, but they still call, and then on the flop I just can’t find a good way to extract value or apply pressure.

Any advice on how to deal with these maniac limpers?

There are limpers who call everything on the postflop, and there are limpers who fold at the slightest pressure. Against the first category you need to play strictly by cards, and if your stack is at least 20-25 big blinds, you'll beat them in the distance. And yes, a 2-3 big blind raises from position is a good play. The main thing is not to bluff against such a category (who call all raises on the board). And against the second category you need to play creatively, with a lot of bluffs on the postflop, while bluffing 20-30% of the pot-bank is enough (in some cases it is enough to make a raise on the flop to 1 big blind).

 

[eetenor]

Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of loose-passive players on GGPoker who limp their entire range — stuff like unsuited disconnected hands, low pairs, suited junk — always out of position. I can’t seem to find a solid strategy to play against them. I often end up in weird spots postflop.

I’ve tried 3-betting from the button, but they still call, and then on the flop I just can’t find a good way to extract value or apply pressure.

Any advice on how to deal with these maniac limpers?

You state- I just can’t find a good way to extract value or apply pressure. Those two things are opposites, and no player can do both- not give us value and not fold. What this suggests is your statement is referring to several player types who limp but you are playing vs them as if they were a singular playing style. Refining the players post flop style takes much more work but is crucial for success going forward. Unless you are playing 10 tables or more at a time- then the simplest action is choose exploit bet sizes preflop and on flop vs all limpers that you have no notes on.

 

[drogus]

> tightening up the range or widening it

I would like to answer this part of the question. My strategy against limpers (especially agressive post-flop) is to play a good relatively tight range. Yes, it may take a bit more time, but you will not end up in a situation where you flop a bottom pair with a marginal hand like 56o. Once you have range advantage you can punish their limps fairly well with good hands.