Know Velocity

The straddle is a unique move that is only allowed in live cash poker games. It’s essentially a third blind doubling the big blind and can be done either on the button or just after the button (depending on venue rules). What this does is it buys you the option of acting last. So let’s take a look at how the straddle can be beneficial to your playing in a live cash game.

Now usually a straddle is a mathematically incorrect move to make. One, you’re putting double the big blind money in the pot before you even get to see your cards, and if you know anything about starting hands out of position, you’ll realize that the straddle will very rarely pay off if you’re playing tight and aggressive.

This move, however is very much a move that loose aggressive or maniacal online poker players make, some to uphold their image, and somewellsome do it just because they want to gamble a little bit.

But there is room for a straddle even if you’re a tight player despite the mathematical implications. If you’re playing in an extremely tight game, you can use the straddle to loosen things up. If you’re in a ring of nitty rocks, and you straddle, you may convince them to come along with you and put some more money in the pot. After all, the first raise has technically been done so they may be more inclined to stay for just one extra bet instead of the customary 4x big blind bet.

The second reason you may want to consider a straddle is to manipulate your table image. Let’s say you’ve been playing fairly tight and aggressive, but maybe a little looser than you usually would. Maybe it’s because you’re running good, or maybe it’s because you’re at a table full of extra tight players. In any event, regardless of the reason, a few well timed straddles can really “hurt” your image. Since all the good players see a straddle as mathematically incorrect (and you know this too, but poker is a game of risks after all), you may be able to paint yourself as just another action loving fish who’s looking to gamble it up more than a good player would when they play poker online.

But remember, this is a gambit, not something to be abused. Treat it like the checkraise, something that must be delicately timed and used appropriately. It’s not a weapon of mass destruction like the float or delayed float, but rather a tool to assist you in opening up a game or irritating other players to play at you in later rounds.

Filed at 11:20 am under Courting Luck, Games Playing, Having Fun
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