Concept of An Isolation Play

The concept of the isolation play in online poker is quite simple. It is a raise or reraise made in order to get a pot heads up. This play can be applied in almost all games, especially flop games, and more in Limit games than No Limit. 

The most common place to see an isolation raise is Limit Texas Hold’em, before the flop. If everyone folds to a player in late position and that player raises, he is often trying to steal the blinds. If we suspect him of stealing with a less than a great hand, we can reraise in order to really force the blinds to fold, and get it heads up with a player who might have a weak hand. This is a typical isolation play. Notice that we have accomplished a few things by making it. First, if we’re successful and the blinds fold, there is now dead money in the pot. Second, we have position on the only remaining player. Third, it looks (especially to the inexperienced player) as though we have a really strong hand, and our opponent is likely to fold unless he hits big.

Isolation betting is a risky play, however. We’re putting in three bets without a premium hand (if we have one, it’s no longer an isolation play, just a normal reraise). In the example above, the blinds might not fold, or the initial raiser might have a real monster and reraise again. There are two main cases where it’s correct to try an isolation play: when your opponent is a maniac, and when your opponent is tight and passive after the flop (especially if he’s a bit loose preflop). These are very different situations, and you’re making the isolation play for different reasons in each case.

Against a maniac. The isolation play is profitable against a maniac for a very simple reason. He’s probably got a very poor hand, because he raises nearly every time. So, if you have a decent hand, you’re ahead and you should solidify your advantage by discouraging anyone else from seeing the flop. Also, a maniac will make many mistakes postflop, so any time you’re playing against one it’s a profitable situation.

Against a weak player. You make isolation plays against weak (tight, passive, scared) opponents because of the high probability of making them fold on the flop or turn. If your opponent folds the flop every time they miss, you’ll end up making a fortune. Against the most extremely scared players, you can make an isolation play with any two cards, because they’ll always fold to you on the flop unless they hit big.