What is an Isolation Raise in Poker?

An isolation raise is a preflop raise made with the primary goal of reducing the number of opponents in the pot, ideally leaving you heads-up against a specific weak player. The term comes from the idea of "isolating" that player, so you can play a hand against them alone, rather than multi-way. It is not a bluff, though it can be made with a wide range. The key is that you are raising to force out the players behind you, not to build a pot for its own sake.

What an isolation raise is and is not

An isolation raise is a raise made when one or more players have already limped (called the big blind) or made a small raise, and you want to play the hand against just that player. You raise to a size that makes it expensive for the players still to act to call, thereby folding out most of them. The goal is to create a heads-up pot where you have position and a skill edge.

It is not a value raise in the traditional sense, because you are not necessarily raising because you have a strong hand. It is also not a bluff, because you are not expecting to win the pot immediately; you are expecting to play a postflop hand against a weaker opponent. It is not a squeeze play, which is a raise after a raise and multiple callers, designed to win the pot right there or isolate the original raiser. An isolation raise is specifically against limpers or a single weak raiser.

How to use an isolation raise

When you are in late position (cutoff, button, or small blind) and one or more players limp in front of you, you can raise to isolate. The size of the raise should be larger than a standard open raise, typically 3 to 4 big blinds plus one big blind for each limper. For example, in a $1/$2 game with blinds of $1 and $2, if one player limps for $2, you might raise to $9 or $10. If two players limp, you might raise to $12 or $14. The exact size depends on the tendencies of the players behind you and the limpers themselves.

Your range for isolating should be wider than your standard opening range, especially on the button. You can include hands that play well heads-up but poorly multi-way, such as suited connectors, small pairs, and even some offsuit broadways. The key is that you are confident you can outplay the limper postflop.

How this seat plays the hand

Consider a typical example: you are on the button in a $1/$2 game. A loose-passive player in middle position limps for $2. The players in between fold to you. You look down at 7♠8♠. You raise to $9. The blinds fold, and the limper calls. You now play a heads-up pot with position against a player who is likely to have a weak range. Your hand plays well in this situation because you have position and a hand that can flop draws or pairs.

Now, a don't: you are in the small blind with A♠2♠. A player in early position limps, and everyone folds to you. You decide to isolate by raising to $10. The big blind calls, and the limper calls. You are now in a three-way pot out of position with a weak ace. This is a poor isolation raise because you are not likely to get heads-up, and your hand does not play well multi-way or out of position. You should have just completed the small blind or folded.

When not to use an isolation raise

Do not use an isolation raise when there are multiple aggressive players behind you who are likely to re-raise. If the players in the blinds are frequent 3-bettors, your isolation raise will often get re-raised, and you will be forced to fold your wide range. Also, do not isolate a player who is a strong, tight-aggressive player. If the limper is a good player who is trapping, your isolation raise will walk into a trap. Finally, do not isolate when you are out of position, such as from the small blind, unless you have a very strong hand. The whole point of isolation is to play heads-up with position, so doing it out of position defeats the purpose.

The next decision after an isolation raise

After you make an isolation raise, the next decision depends on the action. If the limper folds, you win the pot without a fight, which is a good outcome. If the limper calls, you go to the flop heads-up with position. You should then make a continuation bet on most flops, especially if the flop is dry or uncoordinated, because your range is stronger than the limper's. If the limper re-raises, you must evaluate your hand. If you have a strong hand, you can continue; if you have a weak hand, you should fold. If a player behind you re-raises, you should usually fold unless you have a premium hand, because your isolation range is wide and not designed to withstand a re-raise.

Leaks on this seat

• Isolating too often with weak hands from early position. You should only isolate from late position, where you have position and can control the pot.
• Making the raise too small, which allows multiple players to call and creates a multi-way pot. Your raise should be large enough to achieve isolation.
• Isolating a player who is a strong, aggressive player. You are giving them a chance to re-raise you and put you in a tough spot.
• Failing to continuation bet on the flop after the limper calls. If you check, you give the limper a free card and lose the initiative.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an isolation raise and a squeeze play?

An isolation raise is made against one or more limpers, while a squeeze play is made after a raise and one or more callers. The goal of a squeeze is to win the pot immediately or isolate the original raiser, while the goal of an isolation raise is to play heads-up against a weak limper.

How big should an isolation raise be?

Typically, an isolation raise should be 3 to 4 big blinds plus one big blind for each limper. For example, with one limper, raise to 4 big blinds; with two limpers, raise to 5 big blinds. This size is large enough to discourage calls from the blinds and other players.

Can I isolate with any two cards?

You can isolate with a wide range, but you should have a hand that plays well heads-up. Suited connectors, small pairs, and strong broadways are good candidates. Avoid isolating with hands that are easily dominated, like weak aces or offsuit low cards, especially if the limper is likely to call.

What should I do if the limper calls my isolation raise?

You should continuation bet on most flops, especially if you have position. Your range is stronger than the limper's, so you can take down the pot with a bet. If the flop is coordinated and hits the limper's range, you can check back and see a turn.

Is an isolation raise a bluff?

No, an isolation raise is not a bluff. It is a raise designed to thin the field and play a hand heads-up against a weak opponent. You expect to be called, and you plan to outplay your opponent postflop.