| The objective of an isolation play is to make a wager | | | | both players with your medium pocket pair. Since the |
| so big that it gets other players to fold so you can be | | | | second player did not re-raise, you can assume that |
| heads-up against one opponent. An isolation play can | | | | his hand is not strong. The isolation play will get you |
| be used to isolate a bluffer, a maniac, or a player on a | | | | heads-up against the all-in player. |
| draw. | | | | Move all-in. |
| An isolation play is best when you have a hand that | | | | Example: |
| does better heads up, like pocket pairs. When you | | | | You have pocket 3's. It is the middle of the tournament. |
| raise as an isolation play you need to make a large | | | | The blinds are $500-$1,000. You have $22,000, and are |
| enough bet to force other players to fold. | | | | in the big blind. Everyone folds to the button. The player |
| In the middle to late stages of a tournament, use the | | | | on the button only has $2,000, and moves all-in. The |
| isolation play with small to middle pocket pairs. | | | | small blind, with $18,000, calls for half a bet. What |
| Example: | | | | should you do? |
| You have pocket 8's in middle position. It is late in the | | | | Again, calling is not a good play since you have to beat |
| tournament. The blinds are $3,000-$6,000. You have | | | | two players with a small pair. You want to isolate |
| $100,000. A player in early position with $20,000 moves | | | | yourself against the all-in player. |
| all-in. A second player, with $120,000, calls this raise. | | | | Move all-in. |
| What should you do? | | | | This is one of 101 winning plays that poker pros use to |
| You don't want to call since you would have to beat | | | | win poker tournaments. |