Lesson 2
Raise vs. Limp
Why you should (almost) never just call the blind.
"Limping" is when you just pay the 1 Big Blind to see a flop. Don't do it.
Why Raising is superior:
- You take the initiative: You are saying "I have a strong hand."
- You can win immediately: Everyone might fold, and you win the blinds for free.
- You build the pot: If you have a good hand (like AA), you want the pot to be big!
Key Takeaways
- • If it's good enough to call, it's usually good enough to raise.
- • Aggression wins pots.
- • Limping allows the Big Blind to see a free flop with random cards.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- • Limping with Aces to 'trap' (usually backfires).
- • Limping because you aren't sure if your hand is good.
Worked Example
You Limped With
The Flop Comes
You have no idea what they have. If you had raised preflop, they might have folded their trash hand that just hit a pair.
Their Trash Hand
Knowledge Check
Test your understanding to complete this lesson.
Question 1 of 2