lay down KK preflop? who does that - really. i have heard people do it... i just think it takes extraordinary circumstances. convincing yourself you made a "great laydown" is usually just hollow justification. show me someone who can say they laid it down preflop more times than they have fingers and generally i will show you someone who isn't playing to win...

i'm not sure your roll or your normal stakes (just starting on these boards), but you had $40 in front of you. that was your max burn. from your other posts that seems relatively comfortable for you to lose. therefore, you are going to pay off the one hand that beats you if he has it. i would have pushed preflop and that way you get to see all five for free!! :^)

i go in 100% of the time with those circumstances unless the guy SHOWS me AA even without knowing anything else. $40,000 in front of me and that may change things....

even if you go with your original stragegy of the stop and go, it is still valid. if he hit a 9, good on ya... i actually like to see a pair on the flop for a stop and go, heh.

mulligan