The “stop and go” is a basic poker move This move involves calling a preflop raise from an unfavorable position with plans to shove later on. flop In simpler terms, this is essentially a delayed all-in tactic.
While this tactic can technically be applied in cash games, it finds more relevance in tournament play, particularly in heads-up situations. tournament play . Likewise, it can be used in multiway pots The success of this strategy diminishes substantially when used in multi-way pots. It's more effective when players are engaged in heads-up contests.
Typically, this strategy is favored by players with short stacks, particularly those holding between 5 and 10 big blinds. big blinds Attempting this with a stack smaller than that severely limits your chances of success, as opponents are more likely to make a call regardless of what they hold.
Here’s a straightforward guide on when to implement the stop-and-go strategy:
Short Stack + In the Blind + Unsuitable Hand = Stop and Go
For instance, consider a scenario where Player A (with 65,500 in chips) raises to 4,500 from an early position when the blinds are at 1,000/2,000/300, and Player B (holding only 12,500) in the big blind decides to call with 9♦7♣. The flop reveals 6♥5♠2♣, and Player B then shoves for their remaining 8,000. Player A opts to fold. blinds By choosing to merely call preflop, Player B effectively 'stops' the betting, only to 'go' all-in afterwards, which is how this play got its name.
WHEN YOU HAVE LESS THAN 5 BIG BLINDS, THINK ABOUT THE \"LIMP AND GO\" STRATEGY.
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WHY USE THE STOP AND GO?
Moreover, since Player B had already committed 2,000 in the big blind, it only required an additional 2,500 to gain access to the flop. pocket pair , a big ace, or two paint cards. Second, the nine-seven offsuit isn’t a great hand to three-bet jam Given a flop that is unlikely to improve Player A's hand, Player B can execute a stop-and-go by going all-in. Even if Player A calls with a strong hand, Player B still has a chance to complete a draw.
If Player B hit any part of the flop, such as the gutshot straight draw If, instead, the flop turned out to be something like A♣K♦Q♦, which would hit Player A and miss Player B entirely, the latter could choose to check and fold to any bet without losing all their chips.
It's crucial to remember that the stop-and-go tactic is mainly utilized when you are out of position or the first to act. If you have the positional advantage, your opponent is more likely to put you all-in.
Here are some optimal and suboptimal scenarios to perform the Stop and Go maneuver:
The stop-and-go maneuver is advantageous because it provides short-stacked players the chance to pressure larger stacks into making difficult decisions. While short stacks may feel limited in options, this strategy helps maximize their potential.
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Good Time for S&G |
Bad Time for S&G |
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7-10 big blinds |
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In the blinds |
Not in the blinds |
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Against tighter players |
Against looser players |
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Speculative hands |
Strong hands (just shove‘em preflop) |
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In heads-up pots |
Multi-way pots |
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Uncoordinated flops |
Flops likely to hit your opponent |
PUT YOUR OPPONENT TO THE TEST
Imagine another scenario where Player A (50,000 in chips) is in middle position with A♠Q♥ and raises to 2,100 at the 500/1,000/100 level. Player B (10,000 in chips), holding 10♣9♣, faces a dilemma. If he goes all-in, Player A can easily call. fold equity However, if Player B opts to call instead, then shoves 7,900 on a flop of 4♥5♦6♠, it forces Player A to confront a more complex decision despite it being the same all-in situation.
With three community cards on the board, Player A must decide whether to risk calling a large bet with just ace-high. The flop seems more favorable to a player with a small blind hand, introducing a challenging aspect to the decision-making process. small blind Typically, short-stacked players may not see the value in chasing a flop, but being invested in the blinds might provide a reason to do so.
Suppose you were preparing to use the stop-and-go and then hit a favorable flop. In such a scenario, consider altering your approach. pot odds For instance, holding 7♥6♥ and connecting with a flop of 3♥4♥5♠ might lead you to check instead of shoving all-in, hoping your opponent continues the action. If you proceed with the stop-and-go, you could risk scaring your opponent away, which defeats the initial purpose of the play.
However, keep in mind that players can become wary of the stop-and-go and may choose to defend against it. If you believe your opponent is likely to call, then going all-in isn't a bad choice. But if there's a chance that they would fold, it’s wise to reconsider and check instead of shoving.
Planning to follow through with your stop-and-go strategy is essential, especially if you land a strong flop. Many players hesitate when they don’t connect with the flop, but the outcome doesn’t matter as long as it misses their opponent's range as well.
WHEN TO BACK OFF THE STOP AND GO
The likelihood of executing a successful stop-and-go increases significantly if you hold between 7 to 10 big blinds. But what should you do when you're below 5 big blinds? Consider trying the 'limp and go' method.
Instead of shoving all-in with such a short stack where you lack fold equity, you can opt to limp in when first to act. This serves a dual purpose: committing your chips if someone raises or shoving or calling if no one does and you see a flop.
With the limp and go approach, you aren't overly concerned if others also limp behind you. This could result in you collecting more chips when you eventually shove. shove with the nuts For instance, imagine the blinds are at 2,000/4,000/500, and your stack is 20,000. You look down at A♥A♣. While moving all-in is a valid move, it could scare off the other players, allowing you to only claim the blinds and antes.
If your goal is to attract opponents into the pot for more action, you might want to limp. By doing this, you encourage other players to join, potentially increasing your winnings. Even if other players limp in behind you, at least the big blind is compelled to participate. However, the downside of seeing a flop is that your strong hand could be threatened, especially against multiple opponents. hit your opponent By
Chad Holloway Share The “stop and go” is a basic
The limp and go strategy offers the potential reward of securing more chips than the blinds and antes, but it also introduces the risk of facing numerous opponents at once. As we know, unpredictable outcomes can occur on the flop.
poker move flop In the previous example, if a player raises after you've limped in, you should push all-in when it’s your turn to act again.
Ultimately, if you're not incorporating the stop-and-go play into your short-stack strategy, it's time to make that change. Being short stacked can often leave players feeling trapped, but the stop-and-go presents a valuable opportunity.
Chad Holloway is a recipient of a WSOP Bracelet in 2013 and has previously contributed as a managing editor and live reporter for PokerNews. tournament play 888poker-EGR-logo-Mobile-Header-2021-white
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