Is straddling allowed in casinos?

Is straddling allowed? Also is it generally allowed in home games. I'm reading some posts about it now, and honestly I've never seen it done. I've heard a few dealers at the casino say no straddling but thats all. Never seen anyone do it.

[thirddan]

i think i've only played in one game where it wasn't allowed...just ask your dealer if you aren't sure, and as for home games just ask whoever is running the game...also, if you plan to straddle or there is a straddle in your game you should find out if it is live or if it is considered a blind raise, cuz there is a difference...

Yeah thats waht i mean . .i know u can just bet out of turn but would u be able to then be last to act preflop???

is this acceptable behavior for me to allow in my own home game?????

[thirddan]

in the case of a live straddle, the straddler acts last preflop and can of course raise it up...however, if the straddle is not live then it is considered a blind raise and the action is closed when it return to the straddler (unless it was reraised)...

i don't see any reason to not allow it in your home game, it is extremely -EV to straddle, however there are some side benefits that it can gain...for example, its fun, it pisses of nits and rocks, it can increase the action in the game, and alcohol makes people do crazy things /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[newhizzle]

we do it all the time in the home game i go to

[threeonefour]

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Is straddling allowed? Also is it generally allowed in home games. I'm reading some posts about it now, and honestly I've never seen it done. I've heard a few dealers at the casino say no straddling but thats all. Never seen anyone do it.

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if a casino doesn't allow at least a dead straddle (or home game for that matter) then you can safely assume that whoever is in charge doesn't know how to run a decent card game. I personally I have never played in a casino that forced you to look at your cards before you played them, but i would probably cashout and go to a different place if i ever found one...

also, I have never ever straddled. I have bet in the dark post flop a fair amount... but to not allow a raise in the dark is silly and i really don't like playing in poorly managed games.

as for live straddles. most casinos allow them it seems but a fair amount do not. a live straddle is a -EV decision and as such, shouldn't be frowned upon. a dead straddle is more -EV though. so if you are running a home game, it is to your advantage to only allow dead straddles if players will straddle regardless. If players won't straddle unless its live(or will straddle more often), then it is to your advantage to allow live straddles.

[AaronBrown]

How can you bet preflop after looking at your cards, then bet blind post-flop? Do you mean you close your eyes to the flop? Or do you forget your hand?

I'm not so sure straddling has such a negative expected value. There is a very old study that showed the opposite. It was under more favorable rules for the straddle, however. It was no limit, the smaller the blinds relative to the bets, the more advantage to straddling. Also, the first caller had to double the last blind or straddle; you couldn't just call. That made the last blind or straddle act like a small blind today; you got to see what everyone would do by putting up half the opening bet.

[Vex]

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How can you bet preflop after looking at your cards, then bet blind post-flop?

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If you are first to act postflop, place your bet after preflop action is complete and before the dealer turns over the flop cards.

[threeonefour]

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How can you bet preflop after looking at your cards, then bet blind post-flop? Do you mean you close your eyes to the flop? Or do you forget your hand?

I'm not so sure straddling has such a negative expected value. There is a very old study that showed the opposite. It was under more favorable rules for the straddle, however. It was no limit, the smaller the blinds relative to the bets, the more advantage to straddling. Also, the first caller had to double the last blind or straddle; you couldn't just call. That made the last blind or straddle act like a small blind today; you got to see what everyone would do by putting up half the opening bet.

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i have never seen a rule structure/table texture that resulted in straddling in a limit game being +EV.

i guess i can think of one, turning a normal table into a 'must straddle game' will usually increase your profits. though your straddle is -EV its made up for by the fact that everyone else at the table is doing the same thing. mix in the fact that straddling can really get the action junkies going and you have a +EV proposition

[wonkadaddy]

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i have never seen a rule structure/table texture that resulted in straddling in a limit game being +EV.



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what about in a 3 handed game wher u would be straddling on the button? i'd straddle every time.

[spaminator101]

usually
is it possible on any online sites is what i would like to know

I saw it done at a 2/5 no-limit game at the Belaggio. When it happened, it threw me way off because I had no idea what was going on. The guy to the left of the big blind (me), announced his stradle bet twice the big blind without looking at his cards and then everyone called. I was the big blind and called and thought the betting was over but the stradler is actually the last to act pre-flop. And he raised 10 times the big blind. Most of the players seemed to know what was going on (except me) so I guess its normal, but it only happened that once time. I dont see the point. Its like volunteering to be the big blind x's 2 without seeing your cards while your out of position. Makes no sense.

[Snoogins47]

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How can you bet preflop after looking at your cards, then bet blind post-flop? Do you mean you close your eyes to the flop? Or do you forget your hand?

I'm not so sure straddling has such a negative expected value. There is a very old study that showed the opposite. It was under more favorable rules for the straddle, however. It was no limit, the smaller the blinds relative to the bets, the more advantage to straddling. Also, the first caller had to double the last blind or straddle; you couldn't just call. That made the last blind or straddle act like a small blind today; you got to see what everyone would do by putting up half the opening bet.

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i have never seen a rule structure/table texture that resulted in straddling in a limit game being +EV.

i guess i can think of one, turning a normal table into a 'must straddle game' will usually increase your profits. though your straddle is -EV its made up for by the fact that everyone else at the table is doing the same thing. mix in the fact that straddling can really get the action junkies going and you have a +EV proposition

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I don't think that argument ever got completely resolved, but I can easily see where straddling on the button in a 3handed limit game could possibly work out pretty well. I don't care enough, or want to think enough, to try to actually take a side on the issue. Regardless, if you go by the rule of thumb that "straddling isn't a positive EV play" you're probably going to be fine. It's damn fun though.