Straddling 3 handed
 

When it gets down to 3 handed does it become correct to always straddle? You get to have the button when you do it, so it seems worth it to me. But I wonder what you guys think.

I recently played a live game that got down to 3 handed, and when it did both other players straddled every hand.

I guess that means you should do it?

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

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When it gets down to 3 handed does it become correct to always straddle? You get to have the button when you do it, so it seems worth it to me. But I wonder what you guys think.

I recently played a live game that got down to 3 handed, and when it did both other players straddled every hand.

I guess that means you should do it?

[/ QUOTE ]

This would belong in poker theory if the answer weren't very simple.

The answer is, yes. You should do it.

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

Many rooms will not allow a straddle when three handed.

I would not do it unless the other two players really are players. Most B&M players hate SH play, then add the extra pressure of a straddle every time they are out of position, you will be looking for a new game in short order.

From a strategy point of view, if the other players are up for it, then yes, every hand and raise often too.

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

Let me ask you this. At a full ring table, do you always min-raise blind on the button when it's folded to you?

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

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Let me ask you this. At a full ring table, do you always min-raise blind on the button when it's folded to you?

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If that's meant as a snide remark, your not comparing apples to apples. A straddle is live and inducing more action. The casinos I frequent don't allow it anyway.

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

I suggest you repost this in the appropriate strategy forum, I think you will get some interesting responses there. Lets keep the thread live in B&M as well because its specific to live play.

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

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Let me ask you this. At a full ring table, do you always min-raise blind on the button when it's folded to you?

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If that's meant as a snide remark, your not comparing apples to apples. A straddle is live and inducing more action. The casinos I frequent don't allow it anyway.

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The remark is somewhat snide, but your comment "A straddle is live and inducing more action." doesn't explain to me how it is different to straddle on the button three handed OR min-raise blind on the button when the action at a full table gets folded around to become three handed?

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

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Let me ask you this. At a full ring table, do you always min-raise blind on the button when it's folded to you?

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You don't understand straddling... DUCY?

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

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Let me ask you this. At a full ring table, do you always min-raise blind on the button when it's folded to you?

[/ QUOTE ]

If that's meant as a snide remark, your not comparing apples to apples. A straddle is live and inducing more action. The casinos I frequent don't allow it anyway.

[/ QUOTE ]
The remark is somewhat snide, but your comment "A straddle is live and inducing more action." doesn't explain to me how it is different to straddle on the button three handed OR min-raise blind on the button when the action at a full table gets folded around to become three handed?

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You have last option when you straddle; you don't when you min-raise.

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

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[ QUOTE ]
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Let me ask you this. At a full ring table, do you always min-raise blind on the button when it's folded to you?

[/ QUOTE ]

If that's meant as a snide remark, your not comparing apples to apples. A straddle is live and inducing more action. The casinos I frequent don't allow it anyway.

[/ QUOTE ]
The remark is somewhat snide, but your comment "A straddle is live and inducing more action." doesn't explain to me how it is different to straddle on the button three handed OR min-raise blind on the button when the action at a full table gets folded around to become three handed?

[/ QUOTE ]

You have last option when you straddle; you don't when you min-raise.

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I knew I was missing something, thanks. EV is better than a blind min-raise.

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

yes do it, best in PLO, followed closely by NHLE and LHE

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

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Many rooms will not allow a straddle when three handed.

I would not do it unless the other two players really are players. Most B&M players hate SH play, then add the extra pressure of a straddle every time they are out of position, you will be looking for a new game in short order.

From a strategy point of view, if the other players are up for it, then yes, every hand and raise often too.

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If they are good players then you don't really need to play them 3 handed. But you raise an important point. Scary_Tiger told me that it's always right to straddle when 3-handed. So I do it maybe only half of the time so the opponents won't pick up on it being the right thing to do.

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

Are people sure it's right to do it even in limit poker? Stox's table said it's only right to raise your button on about 40% of the hands unimpeded. Is the added position really worth the other 60%? Perhaps...

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

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Many rooms will not allow a straddle when three handed.

I would not do it unless the other two players really are players. Most B&M players hate SH play, then add the extra pressure of a straddle every time they are out of position, you will be looking for a new game in short order.

From a strategy point of view, if the other players are up for it, then yes, every hand and raise often too.

[/ QUOTE ]

If they are good players then you don't really need to play them 3 handed. But you raise an important point. Scary_Tiger told me that it's always right to straddle when 3-handed. So I do it maybe only half of the time so the opponents won't pick up on it being the right thing to do.

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Its rare to find really/truly good players live. Honestly I would rather play 3 handed or HU with "good" players that can laydown middle pair than the average tourist that cant laydown ace high. After all how many times are you really going to have the best hand at showdown playing this short and playing at a minimum every third hand?

Playing SH live is about picking up lots of small pots, not waiting to play a large pot to stack the other player(s).

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

I can't imagine playing nl shorthanded because the blinds are so low in comparison to the stacks. Maybe if your opponents give a lot of action.

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

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I can't imagine playing nl shorthanded because the blinds are so low in comparison to the stacks. Maybe if your opponents give a lot of action.

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I've played shorthanded a few times starting games, its not terribly profitable, much more akin to playing shorthanded limit. Generally the game is pretty limpy/passive preflop and pretty quick postflop. Never played less than 5 handed in a sustained game live.

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

I've been in this situation rarely, as at CP there are almost always other games going and players break when the game is short. When three-handed, however, I always straddle. Not only do I get position on all streets, but the players do not adjust to this +EV straddle, and play even stupider than usual.

This assumes one or both of the other two players suck. The few times when it has been three handed and the other two players were skilled, I just chose to not play at all.

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

Here is an article I wrote about this a couple of years ago. I haven't read it myself in a couple of years, so go easy if it sucks.

http://www.parttimepoker.com/poker-s...m-straddle.htm

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

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Many rooms will not allow a straddle when three handed.

I would not do it unless the other two players really are players. Most B&M players hate SH play, then add the extra pressure of a straddle every time they are out of position, you will be looking for a new game in short order.

From a strategy point of view, if the other players are up for it, then yes, every hand and raise often too.

[/ QUOTE ]

If they are good players then you don't really need to play them 3 handed. But you raise an important point. Scary_Tiger told me that it's always right to straddle when 3-handed. So I do it maybe only half of the time so the opponents won't pick up on it being the right thing to do.

[/ QUOTE ]

Its rare to find really/truly good players live. Honestly I would rather play 3 handed or HU with "good" players that can laydown middle pair than the average tourist that cant laydown ace high. After all how many times are you really going to have the best hand at showdown playing this short and playing at a minimum every third hand?

Playing SH live is about picking up lots of small pots, not waiting to play a large pot to stack the other player(s).

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Lol at laying down middle pair head up. These are not good players you are playing against.

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

Can you straddle 2-handed?

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

Way back when they used to spread a baby pot limit game at Foxwoods.

Once I observed the game played three handed. Foxwoods allows a live straddle. Two players who had the button (utg) straddled every time. One player did not. The player who did not appeared to play the part of the table donator and what kept the game going.

I had a very lengthy conversation with a friend of mine about the merits of the play, for the dynamic of the game we observed.

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

ALWAYS straddle the button if allowed.

shorthanded nlhe is fun, and better players have a bigger edge.

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

last week I was playing 4 and 3 handed 10-20 lhe at Woods. When the 3rd guy busted, the crazy Mohegan guy dared me to play heads-up. I didn't want to, but the really hot girl was dealing I couldn't look bad in front of her.

Well I was in the 1 seat so I had to keep craning my neck to hit on her, watch the rake, and watch him at the same time. I dumped 300 at first but wound up putting a hurt on him (he said I was playing "really looose" [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]). But I wouldn't do it again. Make sure that they take only a tiny rake if you try this, for us it was 1$ per pot. And keep the dealer and your opponent in one line.

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

Oh, yeah, good point. Hey, y'know, I know you think you're all balla or whatever and like to lounge and take up half a table each, but, y'know, you can do maybe the 3 and 6 seats and still have the same effect. Dealing heads-up to people on opposite sides of a big table is like watching meth-addict ping pong players.

Re: Straddling 3 handed
 

hmm. We were in seats 1 and 2. I think for a HU live game, seats 2 and 4 are better.