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

• Poker jargon
• Poker strategy
  • Aggressive plays
  • Bluffing plays
  • Check-raise plays
  • Defense plays
  • Drawing plays
  • Position plays
  • Protection plays
  • Slow plays
  • Stealing plays

Poker gameplay and terminology