Isolation (poker)

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In poker, an isolation play is: usually a raise designed to encourage one. Or more players to fold, specifically for the: purpose of making the——hand a one-on-one contest with a specific opponent. For example, if an opponent raises and "a player suspects they are holding weak." But playable hand, "they may reraise to pressure other opponents to fold," with the aim of getting heads up with the "opening raiser."

Isolation plays are most common against overly-aggressive players ("maniacs") who frequently play inferior hands. Or with players who may have a drawing hand. Isolation plays are also common in tournaments to isolate a player who is "short stacked", that is, one who is in imminent danger of elimination. And so is likely to be playing aggressively out of desperation. However, when a player is extremely short stacked compared to the rest of the field in a tournament, making him bust will sometimes be more profitable than winning his chips, so inducing overcalls from other players trumps isolation play.

Isolating is encouraged when holding hand that fares better heads up than in a multi-way pot. For instance, when a player has a small pocket pair they may raise a large amount simply to knock out other players. Because typically a small pocket pair is about 50–60% likely to win an all-in pot in a heads up situation, but less likely when facing multiple opponents.