I don\'t understand the point of straddling...
 

I just played my first time in a B&M casino, 1/2 NL $200 max buy-in, and I couldn't believe how many people liked to straddle. For the life of me, I can't figure out why they are doing this. Is there some sort of strategic advantage to betting blind in a poor position that I'm simply not seeing? The table was anything but tight (the standard pre-flop raise was about 10-12 times the BB. Is this the norm for live games as well?) so it's not like the straddle was there to get some action going. Any insight would be appreciated.

Re: I don\'t understand the point of straddling...
 

Some people like to gamble.

Re: I don\'t understand the point of straddling...
 

[ QUOTE ]
the standard pre-flop raise was about 10-12 times the BB.

[/ QUOTE ]
This is most likely because of the straddle. If the table is tight, it'll loosen the game up. If the table is already loose, it's just to gambo.

Re: I don\'t understand the point of straddling...
 

[ QUOTE ]
I just played my first time in a B&M casino, 1/2 NL $200 max buy-in, and I couldn't believe how many people liked to straddle. For the life of me, I can't figure out why they are doing this. Is there some sort of strategic advantage to betting blind in a poor position that I'm simply not seeing? The table was anything but tight (the standard pre-flop raise was about 10-12 times the BB. Is this the norm for live games as well?) so it's not like the straddle was there to get some action going. Any insight would be appreciated.

[/ QUOTE ]

OP location: BC, Canada

Notice the significant amounts of yellow, red, green and orange on this pie chart.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._Vancouver.png

Re: I don\'t understand the point of straddling...
 

You need two, "gambo gambo".

If it's a tight table, it puts pressure on the big blind - nobody gets a free flop. As last to act pre-flop, you can bet big and take down a bunch of limpers without a flop.

Re: I don\'t understand the point of straddling...
 

What's "West Asian"?

Re: I don\'t understand the point of straddling... *DELETED*
 

Post deleted by *TT*

Re: I don\'t understand the point of straddling...
 

Please refer to JSD's guide for instructions on the purpose of the straddle. You will be amazed at how much you did not know about playing poker with a straddle.

Re: I don\'t understand the point of straddling...
 

I personally do it to create a false image, people see you straddling and assume you're there to gamble, and don't notice as much if you are playing tight. Also when you do wake up to a big a hand there is usually a lot of dead money in the pot and you can make a big raise and often times people won't believe you and play back at you.

Re: I don\'t understand the point of straddling...
 

It's not only to gamble. It's also a way to get a game to play bigger. a 1/3 game becomes a 2/5. A 2/5 becomes a 5/10 and so on.