Why does "straddling" upset some players?

[judgesmails]

Sometimes I play in low-limit live games with friends in local casinos. We are just there to have a couple drinks and try to beat each other out of a pot once in a while. I always straddle and then blind raise the straddle when it gets to me. I do this to build a nice pot and to liven the game up a little - I realize it is not optimal play.

This just drives some of the other players crazy - mostly really old men - and I can never understand why it would bother someone. What do you think?

[Quercus]

It annoys me when the player to my immediate left does this. It means I never get to play my BB without have to cough up more cash.

I want a straddling doofus to my right anyway.

[shermn27]

It probably upsets them b/c they are more traditional (possibly weak/tight) players. They want to limp in and see if they hit their hand inexpensively. I think lots of home games are like this. My recommendation is that if it is pissing people off that you like to play with, stop doing it! They won't want to play with you anymore if it is really bothering them.

[tdarko]

i like donks that straddle, just puts more money in the pot for me...straddlers never win the pot anyway so i have never understood why they do it, to try and act cool or to look like they know what they are doing?

[A_C_Slater]

Because they're horrified that you might crack their aces with some random garbage.

Old rocks would rather lose a thousand dollars than have their aces get cracked just one time.

[RydenStoompala]

[ QUOTE ]
Old rocks would rather lose a thousand dollars than have their aces get cracked just one time.

[/ QUOTE ]

Amen brother. Well said.

Other things that old rocks do not like:

- playing alone. Rocks collect like gravel at tables. They like to have two or three other rocks right beside them so that they can criticize everyone with impunity.
- Playing anything under KK for more than 2 bets. The fact that they have KK means you're an idiot for playing those suited connectors on the button with the three other callers between you and the rock. If they are playing JJ, you're a bigger idiot.
- having their flush draws stomped by a full house. AK suited is another favorite rock hand that is impossible to beat, unless of course you know anything about the game. Try knocking over AK suited that makes flush with your boat AFTER some juice pig has straddled and see what happens. It's like their grand kids have been murdered.
- they don't like people discovering that they are deaf. While the quarry of rocks may share information at 90 decibel whisper levels at "their end" of the table, your quiet snickering with fellow players at the other end is treated as rude behavior. A rock will tell his fellow rocks what a dimwitted lottery player you are, in a loud voice, and then get pissed at you for sharing a poker story at the other end of the table...because they cannot freaking hear you.

Sorry about the rant. I just had to comment on my least-favorite people. I don't know why people are always going off about young guys wearing sunglasses. Who cares? They usually have hot girlfriends and they often play stink poker. The old rocks really drag the mood into the swamp sometimes, especially when they start picking on the fish.

[johnc]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Old rocks would rather lose a thousand dollars than have their aces get cracked just one time.

[/ QUOTE ]

Amen brother. Well said.

Other things that old rocks do not like:

- playing alone. Rocks collect like gravel at tables. They like to have two or three other rocks right beside them so that they can criticize everyone with impunity.
- Playing anything under KK for more than 2 bets. The fact that they have KK means you're an idiot for playing those suited connectors on the button with the three other callers between you and the rock. If they are playing JJ, you're a bigger idiot.
- having their flush draws stomped by a full house. AK suited is another favorite rock hand that is impossible to beat, unless of course you know anything about the game. Try knocking over AK suited that makes flush with your boat AFTER some juice pig has straddled and see what happens. It's like their grand kids have been murdered.
- they don't like people discovering that they are deaf. While the quarry of rocks may share information at 90 decibel whisper levels at "their end" of the table, your quiet snickering with fellow players at the other end is treated as rude behavior. A rock will tell his fellow rocks what a dimwitted lottery player you are, in a loud voice, and then get pissed at you for sharing a poker story at the other end of the table...because they cannot freaking hear you.

Sorry about the rant. I just had to comment on my least-favorite people. I don't know why people are always going off about young guys wearing sunglasses. Who cares? They usually have hot girlfriends and they often play stink poker. The old rocks really drag the mood into the swamp sometimes, especially when they start picking on the fish.

[/ QUOTE ]

Old rock story: 4/8, a black lady (habitual straddler) is constantly raising in late position, regardless of how many limpers are in, with anything. She raises with 86o, the SB & I (BB) fold and an old rock in early postion and a couple of the limpers call. The flop comes 86x rainbow and of course everyone checks she bets and just the old rock calls. The turn is jack the old rock bets, she raises, he reraises, she calls. The river is a blank and the rock bets, she calls. With a smug little smile she proudly flips over her two pair and he shows a set of jacks. She gets pissed and yells at the old rock "you called me with a pair of jacks?" he replies "well, you give me the odds to draw and I'm gunna take 'em!" Everyone at the table laughs and she procedes to go on tilt. Rock's revenge!

"Try knocking over AK suited that makes flush with your boat AFTER some juice pig has straddled and see what happens. It's like their grand kids have been murdered."


LMFAO...That [censored] is funny.

[octop]

I only play NL so take it for what its worth. Call me a nit or whatever but I don't see why you should be allowed to raise when it gets back to you
Why cant I buy the button for a BB on the flop for 4 dollars?

[Roy Munson]

One of the biggest reasons straddling upsets people is because they are pussies. They would be much better off learning the adjustments needed against a straddle and just shut up and play the damn game.