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Limping vs Isolating
It is generally accepted that it is almost never correct to open limp when first to enter a pot. However, there is much debate amongst successful shorthanded no limit holdem players about overlimping (limping after a limper) preflop. It is something that most players don't implement in their game, though there are often times when it is the most appropriate strategy.
Isolating is when we raise a limper in order to play a heads up pot with the person who has limped or to pick up the dead money that is already in the pot.
We always want to isolate with big aces and broadway hands. These hands play best in single raised pots versus one opponent. Our aim with these hands is usually to flop top pair and play for stacks versus a player who has limped and called with a dominated hand. We can also win the pot more easily with a continuation bet when there is only one other opponent in the pot.
Hands that are better to limp behind with are small pocket pairs between 22 and 77 and suited aces. These hands play well in multiway pots and can make more nut hands postflop.
We should always be aware of the stack size and tendencies of players who have limped before us. . It is important to know whether an early position limper limp reraises big pairs. If so, we should consider overlimping when they limp. If a fish with 50 big blinds limps under the gun, we should be more inclined to limp hands that play well multiway when we are utg+1. As we get closer to the button, we should be more inclined to isolate the limper(s). Similarly, as stacks get deeper, we should be more inclined to raise preflop
We can still isolate the lower part of our range when in position. Offsuit connectors and hands such as K3s or Q6s are hands we should still raise with on the button. We do this because limpers will play their hands in an extremely obvious manner. They will check fold most flops and our hand will be extremely easy to play postflop.
Pros and Cons of Isolating
There are advantages and disadvanatges to isolating preflop. Some tight aggressive players like to 3bet an isolation raise in order to protect the fish and to pick up the money in the pot. They know we will be raising a weaker range to try and play a headsup pot with the fish and take advantage of this by 3betting us light.
If we're isolating on the button we need to know how the tags in the blinds play against isolation raises. If there is a 22/18 tag is in the blinds who loves to 3bet isolation raises, we may need to isolate tighter and limp behind more hands to ensure we can play the pot with the fish (even as strong as A9s or 77/88)
Playing Against an Isolation Raise
When another tag isolates a limper we can flat call with hands as strong as AJ/AQ/99/TT when we are in the blinds. By doing this, we keep the fish in the pot and we have hands that can dominate an isolator's range more than it is dominated.
If we decide to 3bet preflop, we will usually force the fish out of the pot. When in position we can still choose spots to 3bet bluff with hands that are not strong enough to call and play multiway.
Of course we should still be 3betting for value with hands that we are happy to stack off with preflop.
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