Thanks for the reply earlier Mark. One other thing that I remembered about was one particular player liked to Straddle, when he was doing this it generally made the pots a lot bigger. Is straddling at cash tables common in vegas or is it not always allowed?
Not sure why anyone would want to straddle, seems to just be bloating the pot from the worst position at the table. Any thoughts on this?
Thanks for the reply earlier Mark. One other thing that I remembered about was one particular player liked to Straddle, when he was doing this it generally made the pots a lot bigger. Is straddling at cash tables common in vegas or is it not always allowed? Not sure why anyone would want to straddle, seems to just be bloating the pot from the worst position at the table. Any thoughts on this? Posted by GREGSTER
Straddles are very common, and are generally from either UTG or from the button. If its the button straddling, then the action commences from the sb (I still find this a bit weird)
It can vary from casino to casino; some places will allow multiple straddles in the same hand (IE utg, utg+1 etc), others won't. Some might be $5 max, others can be many times that (I was playing in Monte Carlo hotel the other year where some guy would straddle for no less than $20 each time, this is where you pray to pick up premium!)
In Response to Re: New to live poker? A few tips on live poker etiquette. : Straddles are very common, and are generally from either UTG or from the button. If its the button straddling, then the action commences from the sb (I still find this a bit weird) It can vary from casino to casino; some places will allow multiple straddles in the same hand (IE utg, utg+1 etc), others won't. Some might be $5 max, others can be many times that (I was playing in Monte Carlo hotel the other year where some guy would straddle for no less than $20 each time, this is where you pray to pick up premium!) Posted by hhyftrftdr
Thanks. This guy only straddled when he was UTG, it was £1/£1 blinds and the straddle was for £2, so it was effectively a blind min raise from UTG I think, not sure why this would be seen as a good idea.
In Response to Re: New to live poker? A few tips on live poker etiquette. : Thanks. This guy only straddled when he was UTG, it was £1/£1 blinds and the straddle was for £2, so it was effectively a blind min raise from UTG I think, not sure why this would be seen as a good idea. Posted by GREGSTER
I guess it's just building a pot. A min raise to £2 isn't gonna deter people from playing a decent hand but it does put a few more quid in there should the straddler want to pump it up pre when its back on them.
One thing I noticed in Vegas; if someone straddles the button, they are very reluctant to give it up no matter what the action before its on them.
In Response to Re: New to live poker? A few tips on live poker etiquette. : Thanks. This guy only straddled when he was UTG, it was £1/£1 blinds and the straddle was for £2, so it was effectively a blind min raise from UTG I think, not sure why this would be seen as a good idea. Posted by GREGSTER
Interesting point IMO.
The straddle can in theory get tighter players more involved in the action and some players may feel they can take advantage of this.
Of course a traditional straddle of putting 2x the BB out into the middle without seeing your hole cards should not be a big help in itself. Well, unless you are Daniel Negreanu and you feel that increasing the rake paid by players is going to make things better for us poker players.
There are 2 broad scenarios where having a straddle may make things better for you.
A traditional straddle of 2x the BB makes the stacks effectively shorter and thus...
(a) - If you are a more effective player working a shorter stack... For example you may be a Spin Up extraordinaire and do not feel your deepstack game is as good as your short stack game. Well this straddle situation has just made the game a bit more like the games you usually play.
(b) - You are just as good with a shorter stack as you are with a deeper stack. Even in this scenario you may love to have a straddle if half the table do not realise the stacks are effecively much shorter and are not making the necessary adjustments but you are. The general situation has just became much more +EV for you.
Now the traditional straddle is UTG but you can see a couple of reasons why players may like this, even when the 'straddler' is out of position. If the straddle is on the BTN then a player with a strong shorter stack game has now turned the game into a shorter stack game and is going to have position on the table every time they post their straddle.
In simple terms the straddle takes the game slightly in the direction of a Spin Up game. If you feel more comfortable with a big stack then you may not want to play games with a straddle. If you are a short stack whizz then the straddle is for you.
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clicky
Not sure why anyone would want to straddle, seems to just be bloating the pot from the worst position at the table. Any thoughts on this?
The straddle can in theory get tighter players more involved in the action and some players may feel they can take advantage of this.
Of course a traditional straddle of putting 2x the BB out into the middle without seeing your hole cards should not be a big help in itself. Well, unless you are Daniel Negreanu and you feel that increasing the rake paid by players is going to make things better for us poker players.
There are 2 broad scenarios where having a straddle may make things better for you.
A traditional straddle of 2x the BB makes the stacks effectively shorter and thus...
(a) - If you are a more effective player working a shorter stack... For example you may be a Spin Up extraordinaire and do not feel your deepstack game is as good as your short stack game. Well this straddle situation has just made the game a bit more like the games you usually play.
(b) - You are just as good with a shorter stack as you are with a deeper stack. Even in this scenario you may love to have a straddle if half the table do not realise the stacks are effecively much shorter and are not making the necessary adjustments but you are. The general situation has just became much more +EV for you.
Now the traditional straddle is UTG but you can see a couple of reasons why players may like this, even when the 'straddler' is out of position. If the straddle is on the BTN then a player with a strong shorter stack game has now turned the game into a shorter stack game and is going to have position on the table every time they post their straddle.
In simple terms the straddle takes the game slightly in the direction of a Spin Up game. If you feel more comfortable with a big stack then you may not want to play games with a straddle. If you are a short stack whizz then the straddle is for you.