Ive never really used the stop and go play, but when I see someone do it , they normally have a marginally good hand and want to test the other guy. What do you think about this stop and go defense?

$2/$4NL. Hero is playing pretty LAGgy. Im raising alot. Villain in this hand is calling almost all of my raises. He cant have a good hand every time, but hes probably thinking the same about me.

2 hands before this one, I raised to 16 with [Kd]. Villian called but then the BB went all in for $110. I pushed, villain folded and I beat the BBs 88.

On to the hand.
I raise to $16 from the button with [Jd]. Both blinds call.

Pot is $48. The flop comes [9s][2d]. They both check and I bet $35. Only SB calls. Hes the villian I described earlier.

Pot is $118. The turn is the . He leads for $60. I dont see that many stop and gos in this game, but like i said, it feels like a probe bet to see if Im serious. I raise to $200.

Like? Hate?

Down at the $50 game, a stop and go is normally a big hand on the flop. They can stand to check once and call, but then they're afraid you won't bet it for them on the turn so they bet it. Either that, or they picked up a big hand on the turn and are just playing their cards.

But I almost never play LAG like this. I have no clue what a stop-and-go might mean against a LAG. I imagine that if I had a LAG at my table and flopped big, I would be tempted to let them do my betting for me. But if I had a huge hand, I could also bet into them on the turn hoping for a raise.

With you on what looks like a steal raise, and the paired board, he could have any two cards and be trying to put a move on you.

I don't know. I hate playing for a lot of money without cards. But your line sure looks like you have a real hand, at least an overpair, and he shouldn't call without trips or better. He may have an OESD and call you down too, I guess.

Stop and go defined. Is it calling, calling then raising on the end? And what is OESD. I tried and tried to make a four word phrase to no avail.

I dunno if I like it, because I make plays like that holding the 9 in my hand. Basically I'm trying to build the pot and not let the opponent check behind.

Most people with a 9, will check raise the turn. If the preflop raiser doesnt bet the turn, then they lead the river. Its rare I see someone lead the turn with the 9 (or a set which is pretty much the same situation).

If you lead the turn with a 9 here (or with a set), almost eveyone with an unimproved hand (AK) is going to fold. But you mightve gotten more out of them if you checked and they wanted to fire again. If they dont fire again, you lead the river and they still fold so theres no loss to you. You cant get outdrawn easily with a set, or a 9 in this hand (unless its a backdoor flush or some other backdoor type draw which is rare). Thats why most people dont play a 9 that way.

I was 95% sure he didnt have a 9. I just wasnt sure if he would call a big raise with a medium pair knowing (incorrectly) that he would be facing an all in on the river.

But I agree that Im not sure this is a great play or a chip spewing play that I got lucky with this time.

Sit and Go, about the 3rd hand so all players have T800.

I have J 6 in the BB, 4 callers to me, SB completes, I check. Pot is T85.

Flop: Jd 6d 5d

Hero bets 65, one call, LP raises to 150. At this point I am sure I have the best hand, but I would rather put the money in after seeing a non - diamond turn. Most players will go all the way on this flop with just the Ad.

I call, MP calls.

Turn: 10c Pot: T550

I go all in for ~650. Both fold.