Explanation of Stab
The “term” stab can be mostly used interchangeably with “bet” although it specifically carries the connotation of attacking a pot where lack of interest has been shown by our opponents.
Imagine the following scenario -
SB open-raises.
BB cold-calls.
SB checks.
BB bets.
Here, SB has the opportunity to fire a continuation bet after open-raising preflop but elects not to. We might imagine that if he flopped well he would look to fire a continuation bet. His check may potentially indicate a measure of disinterest in the pot. When BB decides to bet in-position vs the missed cbet (often referred to as a float bet), it may often be referred to as a “stab” (due to the disinterest shown by SB.
Here is another example.
MP open-raises.
CO cold-calls.
BTN overcalls.
MP checks.
CO checks.
BTN bets.
If MP were to fire a continuation bet here it would not typically be referred to as a “stab” since no lack of interest has been shown in the pot. If MP checks however, a bet from either CO or BTN may be referred to as a stab.
Example of Stab used in a sentence -> We called the flop quite wide with the intention of stabbing the turn if villain decided to check.
How to Use Stab as Part of Your Poker Strategy
Identifying scenarios where opponents signal weakness and looking to take down the pot is an extremely important discipline in poker. It has the potential to make or break a players winrate.
An excellent starting point is to look for scenarios where our opponent has the opportunity to fire a continuation bet (on any street) and instead checks.
Making stabs in such scenarios typically has an above average chance of taking down the pot (often to the point where any two cards can be bet profitably). Identifying scenarios where any 2 cards can fired profitably is often a turning point in the career of many players.
