In poker, the phrase 'stop and go' describes a specific betting pattern where a player places a bet on the flop, refrains from betting on the turn by checking, and then resumes betting on the river.
Originally coined by seasoned poker enthusiasts, the term 'stop and go' is making a comeback in today’s poker scene. It's important to note that there’s a whole generation of poker players who may not be familiar with this concept, so it could help to clarify what it means during discussions.
This guide will cover the following aspects -
What Does 'Stop and Go' Mean in Poker?
The strategy begins with a bet during the flop phase, then the player checks on the turn to pause the aggression. The aggression resumes on the river with another bet, giving rise to the term 'stop and go'. Although both veteran and contemporary players understand this phrase, there’s a middle group of players who might be unaware since it fell out of common usage for a time.
Is the 'Stop and Go' Strategy Effective in Poker?
Studies indicate that opponents tend to fold a considerable amount when faced with 'stop and go' scenarios, presenting a valuable chance for strategic bluffs. On average, players fold approximately 50% of the time against such a strategy. To make a bluff profitable, we only need them to fold 40% of the time against a two-thirds pot bet.
What Types of Stop and Go Strategies Are There in Poker?
A 'stop and go' strategy can apply to any sequence of bet/check/bet that takes place after the flop. The most frequently seen scenario is either in position (IP) or out of position (OOP) during heads-up play when the player initially raised preflop. It's also applicable when the player cold calls, termed as ' float-bet stop and go ' when in position and ' donk-bet stop and go ' out of position. These strategies can also manifest in pots with three or four bets and even in limp pots.
Should I Trust My Opponent's Stop and Go Strategy?
Research reveals that many players overly use bluffs with their stop and go lines. This suggests that it’s generally wise to call more liberally when categorically facing a stop and go. While we shouldn't expect to triumph more than half the time, simply winning 25% of the time against a half-pot river bet allows us to break even. If we assume our opponent is bluffing 35% of the time with such a wager, our bluffcatcher would still be a good call, even if we anticipate losing 65% of the time. bluffcatch 'Stop and go' refers to any postflop betting pattern involving a bet/check/bet sequence, regardless of preflop actions. These lines provide not only valuable opportunities for bluffs but also encourage wide calling ranges against opponents’ stop and go strategies, as they tend to bluff more frequently than necessary.
Stop and Go Summary
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