Stop and Go Technique

You have heard of Sit and Go poker games, but what is a Stop and Go? First, it is not a type of poker game, it is a poker strategy. And second – it is a great way to pick up pots that you were most likely not going to get. Players like Greg Raymer and Gus Hansen are famous for using the Stop and Go, but it is a hardy technique that anyone can use.

Here is an example situation: You are in early position with a decent hand and wanting to make money, but not really wanting a race for all your chips. You may have a mid to high pair, but not the best hand. You raise and find a re-raiser behind you. You COULD go all in at this point, but if your opponent has overcards (AQ, AK) you are back in that race. Instead, try the Stop and Go.

First, you Stop. Do not re-raise the re-raiser, as you are not likely to move him off his hand. He re-raised you, so he knows you may just respond with an all in. This means he is likely ready to go to war. Pre flop there are tons of possibilities, and he is going to play the odds. Post flop is a different matter.

Next, you Go. When the flop hits and there are no primo cards, you bet. Take whatever you were planning on using to re-raise and bet with it instead. Odds are he isn't going to chase with a few over cards at this point unless the flop had hit his hand.

Simply by waiting to employ the same amount of chips until after the flop you have changed the other player's valuation of his hand, and will likely take down the pot.