[ QUOTE ]
Considering you couldn't even recognize a live straddle when OP described it to you, I could see how you might be mistaken here. I straddle very rarely, but when I do, it's because the table has gotten really tight. I usually play 6/12 and those games shouldn't be tight, so when it happens, one or two live straddles wakes everyone up.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've seen that argument before but disagree. Low limit games are rarely tight, and if they are they don't stay that way for long. The 2 or more BB that you will lose most of the time when straddling is too high a cost for the result you hope to achieve.

If the game is so tight that the only way you can see it loosening up is by straddling, I'd suggest you find a different game.

Now, obviously this is one of those subjective things that we will never agree on, so I'm happy to just say "you play your way and I'll play mine." I do not mind straddlers at my table -- I welcome them and the dead money they add to the pot.