[F0rtysxity]

Thank you CurryLover. I agree 100% with your response to all who say the straddle is negative EV and should never be done. It is, in my experience one of the best ways to pull the game out of the muck. Granted you are the one making the monetary sacrifice but... from my perspective, a prof. poker player is also the custodian of a good game. If the atmosphere is 'fun' then the weaker players enjoy showing up. The money they lose, assuming they have a lot of it, can be viewed as entertainment expenses. If you get a good game going, donators will show up on a regular basis. The straddle (and sleeper) is all part of the mix.

I'd also argue that the straddle often takes weaker players out of their comfort zone and forces them to play bigger pots then they are used to.

I love the straddle, even to the extent that it is a leak in my game.