[Lloyd]

If you push pre-flop there will be about 8,000 in the pot and cost him another 4,400 to call. Getting less than 2 to 1 odds he will most likely fold a pure steal attempt. So I kind of like the pre-flop push here.

I don't think I like a stop and go on this flop. You've got a pretty strong hand with middle pair. If you push, he will certainly call you with any hand you are behind (AQ, KQ, AJ, etc.). There are two objectives with a stop and go. One, get a hand like AK to only see 3 cards and fold to the flop push. Two, get a hand you're behind to fold. That's more likely when you've got something like 88 on a AQ3 board and your opponent has JJ-99, maybe even KK. So the only reason to stop and go is to get something like AK, AT, KT, etc. to fold. His range of hands certainly is wide enough to include lots of hands that are drawing thin against you. Therefore, IF I were to just call pre-flop I think I'd check-call on the flop and give him a chance to bet at it.