4 replies to this topic

[princeof56k]

What is the purpose of a straddle bet? I know what it is, but why would you do that?This came up at my last two trips to the casino when I saw two different people do this on several occassions (4 or 5 times). For those who don't know, a straddle is where the person to the left of the Big Blind (who is suppose to be the first to act) raises the betting before the cards are even dealt. So basicly he's rasing without seeing his cards. This seemed rather foolish to me. I guess its to rattle opponents, but at the 3/6/12 table quite a few people didnt even know what it was, and therefore just ignored it. The reason it seemed foolish to me is because he just bet $6 on what could possibly be a really bad hand. After all, he hast even gotten his cards yet.So why would someone do this?

[UglyJimStudly]

princeof56k said:

What is the purpose of a straddle bet? I know what it is, but why would you do that?

The most effective straddle I've ever seen was a guy who posted his straddle in a limit game, then bet and raised fearlessly every round. He had a pretty good table image, so with him ramming and jamming like that everybody else bowed out after the turn. At which time he tossed in his cards, never having actually looked at them. Good psychological move I thought, and he had a ton of chips so that gave the bluff more teeth.But otherwise, a straddle is mostly just a way for a loose player to blow off some steam. Absent rare psychological plays like the previous one, I haven't found any real way to make something like that work in my game.

[JaysonWeber]

I enjoy using the straddle bet, I think its essential to be able to pull of in certain games...Say your at a table where its tight.. I mean TIGHT, as you run in to quite a bit.. the Straddle bet can be used effectively with these types of players, you straddle, making it more expensive for them to come in and play, I prefer using it on NL or PL, I don't enjoy doing it much in Limit games but I have done it in these instances too...The reason I do it...Loosen up the table! Or atleast try too... At one table I was at I told myself I would straddle 5 times in a row, needless to say after the third time two other guys had straddled and people started laughing, having a good time, showing bluffs, playing looser and at this point I continued with my last 2 straddles because I had announced it to the table, after that, I tightened up my game and it turned loose for a good hour.That is the reason I see the straddle being something that you can use to your advantage... It also helps with learning to play pre-flop a lot, and whats wrong with playing a little junk every once in a while huh?

[ghoti7four]

Mike Caro calls plays like this FPS, fancy play syndrome. However, this is not always a negative qualification. Caro is famous for playing as if he were "crazy" and I agree with Jayson it is a great way to loosen up a tight table. I think playing in the dark which is what my card colleagues and I call the straddle bet is a great way to intimidate weaker players, (if they bother to notice of course). For some reason its harder for green players to raise into someone when they know that even the bettor has no idea what they have. It seems to incite alot of superstition which can be very helpful in taking down a pot. He's in the dark? Its just my bad luck that he must have aces. Also when it is finally put to you to look at your cards if you can add a little bit of effective acting to your reaction the intimidation factor grows even larger. Further it is a great way to practice playing post-flop. If you read Daniel's articles he "treats" himself to days where he plays every hand no matter what and straddle bets add a little bit of extra manipulation.

[DeadMoney6545]

I personally used it consistantly in PLO if im running good... The reason for doing it is to give urself the last chance to act pre-flop... and the SB and BB are weak and fold u can fire once again after the flop... It is most productive by far in PLO. Anywhere else it is always seems to appear as a dog and pony show... the constant bet theory will run into a mess more often than not in low limit i.e. 3/6/12... My thoughts on it