Live cash games
When to isolate limpers
A player limps and it folds to you. Should you raise or limp behind?
Short answer
Isolate with hands that play well heads up. On the button against one limper the Aced Poker chart raises 22% of hands.
It limps behind with 8% more. Each extra limper makes the raise range tighter.
Overlimping and multiway limped pots. Aced Pro lesson, 7 min.
Button against one limper
- Iso raise 5bb 22%
- Overlimp 8%
- Fold 70%
Exploit BTN vs one limper. 9-handed cash, 100bb. Aced wrote this chart for a typical live limper. It is an approximation, not a solve.
Show every hand as text
Iso raise 5bb every time
AAAKsAQsAJsATsA9sA8sA7sA6sA5sA4sA3sA2sAKoKKKQsKJsKTsK9sK8sAQoKQoQQQJsQTsQ9sAJoKJoQJoJJJTsJ9sAToKToQToTTT9sA9o998877
Iso raise 5bb part of the time
JTo 50%98s 50%A8o 50%66 50%55 50%44 50%33 50%22 50%
Overlimp every time
K7sK6sK5sK4sK3sK2sQ8sQ7sQ6sQ5sJ8sJ7sT8sT7s97s87s86s76s75s65s64s54s
Overlimp part of the time
98s 50%66 50%55 50%44 50%43s 50%33 50%22 50%
Hands not listed fold.
How the range changes with more limpers
| Spot | Share of hands |
|---|---|
| Button, 1 limper Exploit | Iso raise 5bb 22% Overlimp 8% Fold 70% |
| Button, 2 limpers Exploit | Iso raise 7bb 7% Overlimp 11% Fold 83% |
| Button, 3 limpers Exploit | Iso raise 9bb 5% Overlimp 13% Fold 82% |
| Cutoff, 1 limper Exploit | Iso raise 5bb 18% Overlimp 6% Fold 76% |
| Cutoff, 2 limpers Exploit | Iso raise 7bb 7% Overlimp 10% Fold 83% |
| Cutoff, 3 limpers Exploit | Iso raise 9bb 5% Overlimp 12% Fold 84% |
| Small blind, 1 limper Exploit | Iso raise 6bb 10% Complete 14% Fold 76% |
| Big blind, 1 limper Exploit | Iso raise 6bb 13% Check 87% |
Share of all starting hands that take each action. Exploit means the chart targets a typical live limper. It is an approximation.
Who to isolate
- Loose passive recreational. Isolate their limps with a wide range of strong and playable hands.
- Calling station. Isolate their limps with about 5bb against one limper. Add about 2bb for each extra limper.
- A tough limper. Isolate tighter than the chart.
Read A read on a type of player. Check it against the player in front of you.
When to limp behind instead
Chart The chart limps behind with hands that win big pots multiway. On the button 76s limps behind every time.
Read Some live players limp AA and KK to trap. When a limper reraises big, their range is very strong.
FAQ
Questions players ask.
What does it mean to isolate a limper?
You raise after someone limps. The goal is to play the pot against that one player with position.
Should I isolate from the small blind?
Less often. Against one limper the small blind chart raises 10% of hands and completes 14%.
How big should my isolation raise be?
About 5bb against one limper in position. Add 2bb for each extra limper.
Practice this spot.
Aced Poker grades every decision and brings back the hands you miss.
Drill this chart