The Straddle

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RakeMyLife

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Hi all,

Was curious as to anyone's thoughts on straddling, particularly in live 1/2 or 2/5 cash games? Many of the casinos I play at allow straddling from any position (including button), and it is quite common to see a straddle at least once every round. I typically stay away from it 99% of the time as I don't understand why I would commit more money into the pot without a hand (also, why not just play a limit up?). Exceptions to this are when the table is way too tight and/or I have the clear largest stack and can put more pressure on everyone else at the table.

Are there other legitimate reasons to straddle?

Is consistently straddling a profitable strategy?

Apologies if this post is a repeat.
 
AjsmenX

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I already played live cash games with straddle ...They allows only to do it from UTG1. And it is not bad sometimes..Particulary you buy ur better position. But doing straddle continiusly I think it is not bad if you play on small limits.
 
pescaofish

pescaofish

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I have seen the straddle option been used in a live Poker and, If I have enough money I pay the crazy person that does it.
To me straddle does not have any justification, it negates all the theory and strategies of Poker playing. How will you bet on a hand you have not seen? unless you can foresee the future. :eek:
 
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subsinind

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Are there other legitimate reasons to straddle?

Is consistently straddling a profitable strategy?

Apologies if this post is a repeat.

The only reason they straddle is to induce some action that even a big blind has to act and it can't get folded to bb or chopped.

House makes rakes instead of a 0 when chopped.

Good for action players when they pick up action cards.

It really depends on the players at a table to know whether that straddling technique is profitable or not. Lots of 1/2 live players get tilted and their egos plays with their heads. Exactly what a straddler is looking for.
 
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Marginal

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Always straddle don't be a nit
 
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RakeMyLife

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Always straddle don't be a nit

Haha, love this.

I am very image conscious at the tables and if everyone seems to be straddling I will get on board so as to not appear nitty. Having said that, most of the ppl I see straddling every round are either getting crazy lucky hands for big pots or losing money fast...
 
bradfordzilla

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round these parts, there is hardly ever a time when the straddle isn't "on". makes the 1/3 game play like a 1/3/6 game; because that's what it is. sucks for me because i can buy in 100 big blinds on a 1/3 game, but i feel that i'm just pissing in the wind if i sit down on a table where i have only say 50 big blinds and i'm basically short stacked.
 
RidersFan

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I straddle a lot because it makes the play bigger and increases action. In games with a lot of action I straddle less but that is still more often than most players do. I also like the straddle in 1/2 games when I'm down to $60-$70, I straddle and shove blind if I win great if not I rebuy for $400. It's just fun to shove blind every once in a while.
 
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mr_kommpa

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In a vacuum stradeling is awful, you are putting in money without looking at your hand! How could that be good? Well if you play with a lot of bad players the stradle will make them loose their ranges a bit. I did not know that you could stradle from every position, in that case I would just not stradle. But if every player is stradling UTG dont be a boring NIT, just jump on the train and start stradling! :)
 
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Marginal

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I've put on a 4th straddle to make a game 5/10/25/50/100/200. Sometimes you just have to do it


Straddle to the button lads
 
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RakeMyLife

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Some wise thoughts about straddle from a pro: https://youtu.be/H27Jj6a22ms?t=1m30s
I totally agree with Doug. Straddle just brings more gambling in the game and making huge -EV on a distance. So the only right way is to avoid it.

Thanks for the link!! I'm beginning to think only +EV situation is when table is too tight and I need opponents' ranges to widen. But in that case I'd be more inclined to just switch tables.
 
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dlam

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I like to straddle in a tight table.
In the tables where I see a lot of looser calls there's no need to straddle
 
Pauliefromgoodfellas

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Hi all,

Was curious as to anyone's thoughts on straddling, particularly in live 1/2 or 2/5 cash games? Many of the casinos I play at allow straddling from any position (including button), and it is quite common to see a straddle at least once every round. I typically stay away from it 99% of the time as I don't understand why I would commit more money into the pot without a hand (also, why not just play a limit up?). Exceptions to this are when the table is way too tight and/or I have the clear largest stack and can put more pressure on everyone else at the table.

Are there other legitimate reasons to straddle?

Is consistently straddling a profitable strategy?

Apologies if this post is a repeat.
Not really, it shouldn't be done other than to keep the game fun and light hearted and also to not look like a jackass if everyone else is straddling.
 
dimon4ik89

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Straddle is usually done by players in order to:

Straddle is usually done by players in order to:
1. Increase the amount of the bank if they are confident of their winning combination.
2. Get an opportunity on the last word in the first round of betting.
3. Give dynamics to the game, make it more spectacular, more exciting and more interesting.
Personally, I think straddle should be put behind passive tables. At us in club players very often do straddle and re-straddle for that to revive game.
 
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Leonidas9615

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To get better position

Many players make straddles cause they want to get better position in the hand and straddle make the hand more interesting and excited.
I don't like to straddle but I have done it a lot of times in a poker group I'm in.
 
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acemenow

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I've only seen it at the casino. Hasn't bothered me much but was not aware it could be done if you were not first to act. Unsure what the rules are at foxwoods where I play when live. Someone had to explain to me what was being done first cash game I saw it done.

Never had much interest in it and wound up getting a decent hand in the BB when someone straddled me. Played it weak and took much of their chips. But I am usually wary of that move. And do not see it often...
 
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