While aggression is quite rightly one of the buzzwords of modern poker, there is one move which has seemingly been written out of the playbook: the limp-shove. Considered risky by some and transparent by others, it’s nonetheless a valuable play and one that’s worth having in your tournament arsenal.
While always sticking to ABC plays can cost you chips, the limp-shove should only normally be contemplated with your most premium hands, namely A-A, A-K, K-K and very occasionally Q-Q. This range might look incredibly tight, but there is reason to play a limited range. If you try this move with J-J or A-Q, all too often you will find the player you are ‘catching’ actually has you crushed with Q-Q+ or A-K – not a good day at the tournament office.
Limp-shoving is an effective way of reasserting yourself at a table which is being run over by one or more loose-aggressive opponents. In this spot you can limp with your premium hand, your LAG opponent will take it as a sign of weakness and raise, then you get to raise it up even higher when it comes back to you. This allows you to pick up a healthy chunk of change even if your aggressive player realises something has gone wrong with his plan. And should they play on, they’re very rarely getting their money in good.
When does the move work best?
There is no point limping into a pot under the gun with pocket Kings if the rest of the table is going to join in and try to take a cheap flop. Limp-shoving works best at fast, aggressive tables and preferably from early position because you have more players behind you who can act as extra juice in the pot or pick up genuine raising hands.
Another factor to bear in mind is your stack size. The limp-shove is an effective way of playing when you have around 15BBs, offering an easier way to get your whole stack in preflop rather than opening and being flat-called. Keep an eye on the table dynamics and make sure the stack sizes around you allow you to deploy the limp-raise to maximum effect. Next time you see those Aces, you might just want to give it a try.
You can also try it with other ‘live’ hands, such as 6-7 suited or 9-8 offsuit, as the move certainly makes your hand seem a lot bigger than it actually is. Here the advice is simple though – if you do insist on adding these hands to your range, make sure you have some fold equity when moving all-in. There’s simply no reason to be risking your entire stack with Nine-high if you can avoid it.
Limp-Shoving without the goods
The limp-shove is a move that normally screams strength. You can’t limp under the gun and then move in when raised with anything less than Kings, right? While the move works far better when you do have the goods, you have to able to mix your game up or your hand might as well be turned face-up. So when is it a good time to try moving in without the goods?
Firstly, when we discuss limp-shoving ‘without the goods’ we are talking about hands that aren’t A-A, A-K, K-K or Q-Q; so hands such as 6-7 suited, 9-8 offsuit and small pairs would be thrown into the mix. By putting our entire stack in with a less than premium hand, we allow our opponents to think we have a veritable monster. Many have heard the adage ‘beware the early limper’, although it’s impressive how many of them forget that until you give them a gentle reminder by shoving. That alone adds a huge amount of fold equity to the play, and means you can often fold out hands as big as Jacks and A-Q against thinking players.
The move obviously has limitations. Although it represents huge strength, it only does so to thinking players. If you’re playing at a table where hands like K-J suited are being overvalued this move isn’t going to work. Equally, limp-shoving with hands that are going to be easily dominated is a bad idea. Trying to pull this move off with the likes of A-5 suited or K-Q is not going to prove profitable in the long run as you’ll get called too often with a range of hands that leave you crushed. Instead opt for hands where, even if you are called, you’re at least live – so medium to small connectors are preferred to those baby Aces.
The benefit of the early-position limp
Limping with deceptive hands such as 9-8 is also a good option because, if you don’t get a chance to shove preflop, they are easy to play on the flop. Obviously they can flop big, but if you don’t make two pair or trips you can get away from the hand at minimal cost, unlike holding Aces in a multi-way pot. Also, if the hand does get to showdown, you advertise the fact that you’re limping light, allowing you to go for the same move – this time with the goods – at a later stage.
Remember to avoid those easily dominated hands and even more importantly don’t go representing hands to players who frankly don’t care (i.e. maniacs and calling stations). Steer clear of these two pitfalls and limp-shoving without the goods can be your golden ticket next time you find yourself card dead in a tournament.