A system and method for a flexible number of lookups in pipeline-based packet processors. Pipeline-based packet processors can be configured to allow multiple lookups per physical table. In one embodiment, a start of packet (SOP) cell is assigned to a first slot of a packet processing pipeline, and a non-SOP cell is assigned to a second slot of a packet processing pipeline. Access of a table by the second slot can be usurped by the SOP cell in the first slot.