Limit Texas Holdem (Part 4)

By Wesley R. Young

To finish up this short series, I want to touch on isolation and implied odds, two other areas that can increase your profitability as a limit holdem player.

Isolating an opponent is the act of manipulating the size of the pot, almost always by raising, to get heads-up with them. By raising at a particular time, you may be able to get everyone else to fold with the exception of one opponent. This is usually accomplished by re-raising an opponent who has entered the pot before you with a raise. This will often force everyone else to fold and isolate the lone opponent. This creates three advantages for you. The biggest advantage is that you have position, and the other two are that you are playing heads-up and have shown strength. If you are able to determine who your weaker opponents are, isolation is a good way to extract extra profit each time you play. This works especially well when playing against a maniac, who raises with inferior hands often. One note of caution; if there are other solid players to act behind you, they may have the same idea against a maniac and you can get caught in the middle of a maniac and solid player. This can become very expensive and should be avoided with all hands except your best.

Many players have heard about pot odds, but the best players know how to use another type of odds, implied odds, in their favor. Implied odds are using pot odds as well as the amount of additional bets you will be able to collect when you hit your hand to determine the correct play. This is best explained by example.

You are in the big blind with 5 7 and get to see the flop for free with three other players. The flop comes A 4 6, you check, the next player bets and one player calls with the other folding. There are 6 small bets in the pot and you have 8 outs giving you better than 6 to 1 odds, so you call. The turn brings a J and you check again. There is a bet and a fold. There are now 4 ½ big bets in the pot, which isn’t laying you the correct odds to call. However, because it will be hard for your opponent to put you on a straight draw, the times you are able to hit it on the river you will be able to collect at least one more, and often two or more big bets, especially if your opponent has made two pair or trips. In addition, the times you don’t hit your hand you can simply fold to a bet. Realize that if there are two flush cards on the board and you are drawing to the flush, it will be apparent to your opponent when you hit your hand and your implied odds are limited.