What is overlimp in poker?
The dictionary of poker terms is filled with meaningful expressions (like overlimp) that describe the situation at the table. In one or two words, we can understand actions and derive strategies.
It is crucial for beginning poker players to know the meaning of terms and slang, as they are often used at the table, but also in educational videos, articles, and streams.
We'll explain what the poker technique called overlimping is and how to use it. And then, at the end of the article, we’ll recommend the next steps of your learning path.
First – What is Limping in Poker?
Preflop, two players place bets blindly, without yet seeing their cards. These are the small and big blinds. Only after this does the dealer deal everyone two cards face down, and the betting round begins. Calling a bet with 1 big blind is referred to as limping in poker slang.
Typically, limping is one of the beginner strategies to invest less, but see more flops. Players who limp often, usually play a large number of marginal and frankly garbage hands, so it often turns out to be unprofitable in the long run. Still, the feeling of seeing a flop for a cheap price is irresistible to this kind of player, however detrimental it is to their bankroll.
You’ll see more limping at low-stakes online tables, and far less at high-stakes ones (unless you are Daniel Negreanu, who loves this move on rare occasions).
What is Overlimping?
An overlimp occurs in a hand when several poker players limp preflop. That is, the first one plays with limps, and the next player to limp is making an overlimp. This scenario can often be observed in freerolls and low-cost tournaments.
This situation is challenging because you need to decide how to play next:
- Fold a weak hand and give up fighting for the pot.
- Follow along and limp into a hand, hoping that there will be no raises after you.
- Play through isolation, knocking out players with frankly weak starting combinations from the pot.
How to Play Against Overlimps?
Beginner players should resist the temptation and avoid limping most hands into the game. From the perspective of basic poker mathematics, such an action will be justified, since your opponents give you good pot odds (especially if you are on the button or in the small blind). However, with a junk or marginal hand, you will often find yourself in difficult situations postflop.
The best strategy against a player who likes to overlimp is isolation, also known as isolating. This involves making a large bet, which can pursue one of two goals:
- Win the pot here and now. You won't be too upset if all your opponents fold their hands – and you'll increase your stack without a fight.
- Reduce the number of opponents postflop. Most likely, one or more players will be tempted and call your bet. Even if you don't hit the flop, you can try to win the pot with a small continuation bet.
Isolation is a move that doesn't have to be done only with good hands. To blur your range, you need to periodically do it with not the strongest starting combinations: suited connectors, Broadway cards, etc.
Poker Training: Where Can You Start Improving?
Anyone can learn to play poker. However, to turn a hobby into a source of income, you need to work hard and diligently. We’ve already collected some of the best software to improve with, but here are some other methods.
We offer some tips on how to learn from scratch:
- Find a coach. With a mentor, you will be able to master basic and advanced poker concepts much faster, but you will have to pay for it. Luckily, learning at the micro stakes will never be expensive. We can link you with trainers if you’re interested – just get in touch with us.
- Look for free materials. There is a lot of educational content on the Internet that is freely available: articles, videos, streams. Poker books can also be foundational, but they won’t provide all the sustenance you need.
- Practice. GipsyTeam gives its players the opportunity to start a career in online poker without any investment. Freerolls won’t cost you a dime to enter, but the prize pools are real money. This is a starting point and a way for you to build MTT experience. Every day, you have thousands of dollars up for grabs, on different sites around the world.
We keep a full schedule of these events. Join the games at any time of day, without spending anything for your ticket.
