Thanks for the replies – I like the idea of an assistant rapping my knuckles whenever I [insert weak play here], but not so much for limping. I’ve pretty much stamped out the temptation to open limp with small pairs / SC’s because “I want to see a cheap flop” and “those hands play well multi-way”. I may do so occasionally in $250 local tournaments where players literally can’t fold top pair to 100BB, but even then it may be sub-optimal.

The arguments/conditions I can see for open limping are when (a) the players behind me are tough/aggro and I fear being 3-bet into oblivion if I open my normal ranges, and/or (b) I think limping will take my opponents out of their comfort zone, and/or (c) my stack size is a little too big for an open shove, a little too small for an effective 2-bet-to-4-bet, but maybe just right for a limp-shove.

From @theginger45’s excellent article:

If we can engineer scenarios where our opponents are going to raise-fold to our limp-shoves on a more consistent basis than they will 3-bet-fold to our open-raises, we create situations where we open up a leak in our opponents’ games that would not otherwise exist. Essentially, we’re choosing to employ a strategy that generates additional mistakes by our opponents, rather than plays into their hands by allowing them to stay in familiar territory.

As for “we have to think for ourselves” … well, sure, but … I mean … this is a poker training site/forum. I’m hopeful that a disproportionate number of people here (especially those who write articles and create videos) are disproportionately represented in Alex’s 5% of non-losers.

The Riceman said
Not sure about a disproportionate number of TPE folk represented in the winning player pool. As you say, I expect most all the TPE coaches are winners. Not much use having a losing player make videos lol. Although, if they do employ losers to make videos, I put myself forward as a potential coach. Not sure how the sub would work…probably I would have to pay people to watch my content, to compensate the poor bastards for the money they are going to lose by following my lame ass play…

Ahh! I jest. Tbh it is only in the last couple years I have been a winning tourney player. Dont think I’m stupid, and I have spent years studying the game, and yet only recently have I been a winner. My guess is that most TPE members are probably losing players. Be interesting to know.

I guess what I was driving at is that, mathematical mistakes aside, there are no right or wrong ways to play the game, just subjective interpretations. The game is so vast, this is what makes it wonderful. A concern I have, even here at TPE, is that too many people are searching too hard for the ‘solution’ to the game by trying to emulate specific coaches, that they give developing their own game and ideas too little thought. I, for one, dont want to end up an Andrew Brokos clone, for instance. And I say this as one of his chief disciples. In fact, if Andrew were Jesus, I consider myself…hmm…John The Baptist. I am happy being John, and I dont want to be Jesus thank you very much, although of course I can learn much from the man. Ok now I am talking utter crap. Jamie Gold I vote for Judas btw  

I’m fairly confident that TPE members (let’s say past and present) are disproportionately represented in the winners’ pool … now that might only mean 6% are winning vs 5% of the entire player pool.

And I’m not looking for a solution, just thoughts on whether it makes sense to move away from the “always raise never limp” mantra and if so, how to do so in way that accomplishes some reasonable set of goals.

And I’d settle for being a Brokos clone if I can ditch the beard.