Isolation
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 he is
bluffing, a player may reraise to pressure other
opponents to fold, with the aim of getting
heads up.
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.
See also
Categories: Poker gameplay and terminology