Isolate in poker: how to use this strategy correctly

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Isolation raise (isolate) in poker is ー an effective technique that allows you to knock all opponents out of the hand, except for one ー weak player. The goal is ー to stay with him one-on-one and overplay at the expense of his advantage.

1. Key points when using the reception

Let's uncover these key points in more detail.

Selection of a suitable opponent (passive, loose player)

It is very important to choose the right “victim” for isolation. It has to be a weak, passive player who makes a lot of mistakes. Usually, such opponents limp to see the flop cheaply. To select a suitable opponent for the isolate, it is important to analyze its statistics. This can be done using various trackers, such as Hand2Note or Hold'em Manager.

The main indicators that are worth paying attention to are:

1. Percentage of bet call on the flop. The higher this indicator, the worse for the isolate.
2. Percentage of folds per cbet. Reflects the tendency of the player to pass on the bet in the continuation on the flop.
3. Percentage of calls of raises on preflop. Demonstrates the opponent's willingness to go to the bank without a strong hand pot.

Ideal for isolates are the so-called "fold-fishes" (loose-passive) ー  players, who in most cases pass to the cbet without getting into the flop. They play a lot of starting combinations, preferring passive lines, i.e. bet calls, rather than raise. This strategy is peculiar to weak players. 

Aggressive оpponents, on the contrary, are the worst option. They can shoot your bet on any street and are generally reluctant to give up on post-flop.

But even feeling big in terms of skill level, it is important to carefully choose hands for isolation. To make a similar bet with random hands of the offsuited type or ー a dubious decision. These starters have very little potential on the post-flop. And putting three barrels without coincidences against an amateur player who does not like the "fold" button is not the most promising strategy. Choose hands that play well on the post-flop – mast aces, broadway cards and suited connectors.

If you do not have access to poker trackers like Hold'em Manager, you can also analyze your opponent manually:

Over time, based on such observations, it will be possible to make a fairly accurate "profile" of the player and understand whether he is suitable as a target for isolate or not. The main thing is to be attentive and fix the important details of his game.

Raise with a strong arm for confidence on a post-flop

When making an insulating raise, it is advisable to have a premium hand – AK, KK, AA, or other strong hands, such as suited aces or Broadways, high pocket pair. This will give confidence in the strength of your hand on the post-flop against a weak opponent. You can raising with weaker hands, take into account the position at the table. Making a bet in order to play on the post-flop without a position is a dubious decision even against a weak opponent. The optimal range of isolate from different positions is indicated in the preflop charts, which can be obtained under the free training program.

While you are gaining experience, we recommend making an insulation raise only from the two most profitable positions – catoff and button. This approach not only increases your chances of winning (since you complete trading on all streets), but also reduces the likelihood that one of the opponents will have a strong hand behind you, with which he will twist your bet. Imagine you are making an isolate on a player's cut-off from a middle position. The player on the button re-raises. Blinds fold, you are calling. Now you have to play the flop against a strong opponent out of position. 

Even with a premium hand, it is unprofitable for reg player to ー have the edge of a position. To avoid such situations, it is better to isolate from the button or catoff if aggressive players are behind you. Their range of raise from the blinds is already, and it is unprofitable for them to call an insulation raise. But from an early position against active rivals, it is better to avoid excessive activity on weak hands. This is fraught with a difficult hand out of position on the post-flop. Therefore, narrow the raise range if there are aggressors after you. And choose the right time to isolate. 

Optimal sizing of the insulating sizing

For limper isolation, a raise of 4 bb + 1 bb for each additional limper in the bank will be optimal. In strong hands (TT+, AQ+), sizing 5-8 bb can be used. This strategy works especially well in the early and middle stages of the tournament and against recreational amateur players who do not spare chips from their large stacks and can easily call to a large raise with weak hands.

Playing aggressively, bet on every street

After we successfully isolated the “victim” and stayed with her in heads-up, we need to play very aggressively – put on every street. This will create pressure on the opponent and force him to make mistakes. You can even bluff if you suspect weakness.

Tips for raffling emerging multipots

Sometimes, despite the insulation raise, several players remain in the hand and a multipot occurs. How to play in such situations? 

• Play in position - try to avoid checks, even on marginal hands. It is better to make small bets (1/3 or 1/4 of the pot) to protect the hand. 

This is more profitable than a receipt, since:

1. protects from bluff rivals who may consider the check a sign of weakness;
2. allows you to immediately make a profit if everyone resets;
3. gives information about the strength of the opponent's hand if he calls;
4. helps to control the size of the pot;
5. leaves a chance to win the pot by bluffing on the following streets.

• Without a position - it is worth playing carefully. You act first without knowing the intentions of the opponents, which complicates decision-making. It is also more difficult to implement bluff and control over the pot. Evaluate the texture of the board. With many draw opportunities, aggressively place a ready-made strong hand. Do not rearrange the monsters, if the board is not dangerous - let the opponents try to bluff. 

​​​Get ready to go all-in with nuts, all-ins are frequent in multipots. Play carefully without a position and realize your edge in the position.

You can read even more about the game in multi-banks in the article on our website: Multipot poker: how to play pots for several people

Do not overestimate the strength of the opponent's hand

Although the villain is weak, sometimes he can catch a strong combination. However, you should not be too afraid of this and wait "for pot control". You need to adhere to the chosen aggressive line of the game. Additionally, evaluate the texture of the flop.

The board may affect the outcome of the hand as follows:

1. The unfavorable texture for you (a lot of overcards, possible straights/flushes) gives the pocket player more chances if he has caught his hand.
2. Textures with lower cards (scattered 2-7) are favorable, because on such dry board the opponent will rarely have matches.
3. 3 suited cards give flush chances and are potentially dangerous.
4. A flop with an ace reduces the chances of a puddle player for a top pair or set.
5. Linked cards (two-gappers, open streets) will help the pocket to collect the monster.

2. Conclusion

When isolating, it is important to consider three factors:

1. Expected fold equity before and after the flop.
2. The likelihood of your hand hitting the board.
3. Availability of a position for a more effective game.

Expected fold equity before and after the flop
This is the likelihood that limpers will drop their hands on a preflop or postflop. The higher the fold equity, the more often we take the pot before reaching the showdown. This allows more speculative hands to be included in the isolate range. If the fold equity is low, you need to raising only strong hands.

Probability of your hand hitting the board
Here we analyze how our starting hand is able to improve on the flop. It is better to choose cards that often form top pairs, straights, sets, etc. - for example, suited connectors. This increases the chances of assembling a strong combination against the limper.

Availability of a position for a more effective game
Position allows you to get more information about the opponent, control the size of the pot, exert pressure. The best positions for isolate are CO and BTN. From the early positions, only premium raising hands should be raised.

Taken together, these three factors will give the most effective isolates. You can sacrifice one indicator if others are strong. For example, raising with a weak hand, but from the button against the secret limper. Such a flexible approach will bring maximum profit.