Explain the logic behind a live straddle please...

[MiketheangrydrunkenCUfan]

I've been trying to come up with a reason why I'd want to voluntarily contribute chips to a pot before any cards have been dealt, and I'm at a loss. I can't recall ever seeing one win a walk either.

It does give you a positional advantage during the first round of betting, but that evaporates after the flop. I guess it could also upset the comfort level of other players at the table, but it seems like there are ways to do that without spending a dime. I don't see how either of those reasons are worth doubling the big blind before you've been dealt a card.

Thoughts?

[Moby Dick]

saw a guy do it the other night at the 1/2 NL...

dude was drunk...straddled....then raised without looking.


he only had one caller..flop comes 6,4,10...dude raises...the straddler calls..still without looking.

next card was a Q...dude checks...straddler checks....

river was a 2.


dude bets 20. straddler then looks...and raises 30.

dude calls....straddler flips over 6,10 for 2 pair.

dude flips over pocket aces.

gotta love poker.

[MiketheangrydrunkenCUfan]

Wtf is a live straddle?

If you're playing a cash game and you're under the gun (to the immediate left of the big blind), you have the option of doubling the big blind before the cards are dealt. The first round of betting then begins with the player to your left, making you last to act for that round. On subsequent rounds, you revert back to third position.

The main excuse people give for doing it is to "generate action" at a table they perceive as being too tight. It really doesn't make any logical or mathematical sense, but some people just like throwing their money away, I guess...

[Adelpiero]

it's sole purpose is to get action going

nothing more than the poker dorks trying to push the action, before even seeing a card.