Calling a straddle

[ddlopsau]

When a player posts a straddle, do you have to adjust starting hand values as if it were a raise, or just treat it as another blind bet. I'm thinking the later but would appreciate any advice.

[bernie]

I treat it as if a maniac is raising. Which means, trying to take into account how the other players will play it. Depending on this, you could change your standards a little to fit the texture. Example: if the table gets tight to 3 bets, and your the 1st to act after the straddle, i might 3 bet any A, among other hands.

If im the first one to act after, im raising or folding, not just coldcalling.

b

[top6]

There is a paragraph or two on this in Hold'em For Advanced Players.

The only reason I know this is because it has this one funny sentence - when describing what a straddle is, they say something like: "this is not a recommended play." I don't know why, but I just find this to be very funny. Every time I'm at the B&M and I or someone else decides to straddle, I always have to point out that, according to S&M, betting w/o looking at your cards is "not a recommended play."

[bernie]

But it sure is fun to do on rare occasion.

I owe GoT and Dude a live straddle. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

b