Texas Holdem Strategy Video Source & Information:
This video was inspired by SplitSuit’s article: http://www.splitsuit.com/playing-straddle-poker
SplitSuit explains what a straddle is and answers the question “Should I Straddle?” Learn about the classic UTG straddle and also the Mississippi straddle and how they change important elements of the game. While you should usually avoid straddling, there are some specific situations where it can benefit you! …
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Source: YouTube
When is a straddler allowed to look at his cards?
the video is better at 1.5x playback speed
Button Straddling with a specific strategy in mind is not necessarily a -EV play. If you have solid reads on the other players and intend to use the reduced SPR to attack weak players, you can increase your win rate. For example, a 50bb opening range should be significantly tighter than a 100bb range. By straddling in position and tightening our range, we can gain a significant advantage over non thinking players. A value heavy range played aggressively against a player who has not adjusted their range to match the SPR will allow us more opportunities to take their entire stacks. They will not have the proper odds to play speculative hands but will continue to do so like the fish they are.
PLAY THIS VIDEO AT 1.5X SPEED.
Much better.
I think a key point that u miss in a straddle is that it creates action. If it's a tight table and people are hardly calling 3x or 4x raises. Making a blind raise makes them more likely to call with weak hands because they are up against someone who's not even seen their cards and is invested in the pot. Of course u can face a raise and have a garbage hand, but that's why it's sort of a sacrifice to get players to loosen up, and maybe play a little bit wider
but how does it keep people happy other than going along as to not make waves?
people with less available chips would then be "closer" to bowing out ( since its pre-flop)
good explanation
Yup still kind of went over my head.
I don't care if everyone else is straddling, I'm not gonna do it when it's my turn…. It's about the dumbest move one can make.
Why does the small blind not have to put in the straddle? Isn't a straddle technically a raise?
Straddling is minus ev but in high raked games it is a way of improving the effective rake by getting the pots bigger.