Straddle Discussion Continued

[Steve W]

An earlier post and replies explained the straddle in detail. One player
suggested that it should only be done to loosen up a tight table but no
one else discussed any strategy for if it should be used or not. I
remember a brief discussion of the play in one of the books I've read
(which one I cant recall offhand) where it simply said "never straddle."

What are your thoughts on this? Can this ever be an effective play? What
if youre at an extremely tight table with guys who will relinquish their
blinds to a bet with out a made hand? What if they always protect their
blinds?

Any and all thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks
Steve

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[Rich]

On Aug 12 2003 9:27AM, Steve N wrote:

> I don't agree that loosening up a tight table is the primary reason to
> straddle, the most valuable reason is to have last action before the flop.

The people that I have seen put down straddles were people who wanted
action. They didn't care about acting last before the flop. They were
bored and the table was tight and they wanted to give the table a bit of a
kick in the pants.

I'm not saying there would be no stragetic value to what you suggest, but
that's not how I've seen it happen in practice.


Rich

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[Bing]

On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 12:36:31 -0400, "Lord Thanatos"
<Thanatos340@yahoo.com> wrote:

> I was the one that said you should only Straddle to Loosen up a Tight Table,
> But There are a few other times that a Straddle may be beneficial.

> My Reasoning behind this move is to tarnish my Image and hopefully get
> some action later when I do actually find a hand.

Agreed. Although I sometimes try a slightly different method. I use
the dealer as a backboard. For example, last Friday I sat at a table
and quickly recognized it as a rocky tight table. So, I started
raising preflop with any suited gappers or better. After stealing
the blinds every other hand (and folding the others), I started
trying to break my own bluffs. After the whole table folds to my
bet, I'd wait for the dealer to start gathering cards and toss
my cards onto his arms, hoping to "accidently" flip one or both
of them face up.

I raised with A3s from middle position and the table predictably
folded. I tossed my cards away and "accidently" flipped up the 3.
Oops! Everyone virtually shot daggers from their eyes at me.

The next hand I got pocket Queens and got 3 callers (two more than
anyone had gotten at this table so far). I won a bigger pot than
anyone had won in the previous two hours.

Before that, I was almost to the point of straddling.

> It always amazes me how many people will atomically assume that you
> are a Loose player if you Straddle and call you down for the rest
> of the night.

I don't think once is enough, however. I think you need to do it
every fifth opportunity to keep up the loose image. I'm not sure,
though, and will have to give it some experimentation.

> Another time when a Straddle may be beneficial is when there is a weak tight
> player sitting to your right. This is especially beneficial if that player
> is prone to going on Tilt. I love Straddling the typical Old Weak Tight
> Vegas Rocks at the 4-8 games. They take it so personally and then try to
> play at you for the rest of the night.

Nice idea. I'll have to try this out a bit.

One other idea I've been considering is, when I'm under the gun,
quickly peeking at the first card I'm dealt. If it's an Ace, I
simply don't look at the second card and raise before I even get
the second card. "Is it too late to straddle? Well, then, I'll
raise in the dark."

-- Bing Monopoly Expansion Set
Visit us at http://www.paxentertainment.com

[Steve N]

"Rich" <anonymous@paranoid.org> wrote in message

>The people that I have seen put down straddles were people who wanted
action. They didn't care about acting last before the flop. They were bored
and the table was tight and they wanted to give the table a bit of a kick in
the pants. I'm not saying there would be no stragetic value to what you
suggest, but that's not how I've seen it happen in practice.>

But you're an RGPer, so you're not going to be swayed by what the
mulletheads at your table do, you're going to do what's +EV for you :)

Steve N