Rules of Poker?

[Zaina]

While Playing at Casino!
Does Everybody On the table have to be agreed to put a straddle in the game??
Is there any reason to do this in a real cash game?

 

[IanO]

Hi Zaina,

The only real advantage to straddling is that you get to act last in the first round of betting, but if your straddle is raised then you'd better hope your hold cards were lucky otherwise your straddle is likely to be wasted money imo. Most people I've seen straddle I'd classify either as very loose or a great big fish.

I've straddled a few times, but usually just to add a bit of fun to a home game. I'd never do it if playing 'seriously' at a casino.

As for the rules about when it can be done, this probably varies from card room to card room. Some will always allow it, some with the consent of all players, and some never at all. The best thing to do is check before you sit down if it's a concern. Most (all?) places I've played in have had the house rules regarding this type of thing clearly posted.

Hope that helps. Best of luck.

 

[KasinoKing]

OK I have to ask - what is "straddling"?
(I thought is was something lap-dancers did to their customers!)

KK

 

[sattty]

been straddled a few times have you KK

 

[IanO]

OK I have to ask - what is "straddling"?
(I thought is was something lap-dancers did to their customers!)

KK

It is basically a raise in the dark by the player to the left of the big blind, which essentially makes him the new big blind with last option to act. All players following must now call or raise the amount of the straddle bet.

For example, in a $2-$4 Limit Hold'em game, the blinds are $1-$2, but if the player under-the-gun wishes to straddle he must blindly put out $4 before the cards are dealt, which all players would have to call or raise in order to continue playing.

Am surprised you've not come across it before KK....

 

[KasinoKing]

It is basically a raise in the dark by the player to the left of the big blind, which essentially makes him the new big blind with last option to act. All players following must now call or raise the amount of the straddle bet.

For example, in a $2-$4 Limit Hold'em game, the blinds are $1-$2, but if the player under-the-gun wishes to straddle he must blindly put out $4 before the cards are dealt, which all players would have to call or raise in order to continue playing.

Am surprised you've not come across it before KK....

Now you've described it - I think that's what happened in the impromptu game I played at the Paddy Power stand at LAC, where I ended up winning over 300 beer mats!

What I don't get though, is why it is any different to the player just raising the blind anyway. Surely anyone can do this in any game - why do they need "permission" from other players to do it?

been straddled a few times have you KK

Not recently...

KK

 

[IanO]

What I don't get though, is why it is any different to the player just raising the blind anyway. Surely anyone can do this in any game - why do they need "permission" from other players to do it?

Normal play - you get dealt your cards. You look at them, and decide if you want to raise or not. Blind positions remain where they are.

Straddle play: BEFORE you see your cards you straddle bet (double the blind) . now you are the last person to act, not the big blind.

basically you're buying the blind.... but I still think it's a mugs game...... I played a home game where anyone to the left or right of the blinds could straddle... then the person on either side of them could 'double straddle'.. and so on... . With many beers drunk it decended into a crazy madhouse with tones of cash on the table before the dealers even finished shuffling.

 

[Zaina]

Thank you for your replies...
one more question i want to ask what is snip in poker???

 

[Zaina]

any body can give me the info about snip??
Thanks in advance.

 

[Crystal-Gala]

OK I have to ask - what is "straddling"?
(I thought is was something lap-dancers did to their customers!)

KK

I would watch some high stakes poker played with all the pros, they do it alot, it can cause a lot of action and wild play.

Makes good viewing though

 

[barcode scanner]

in a private game is to risky

the player can cheat in different ways, do you heard about marked cards or tricks devices??

 

[rodrigoalmeida]

the player can cheat in different ways, do you heard about marked cards or tricks devices??

I have never come across cheating myself. But it's a good question. Has anyone heard about it?

 

[darkerflow]

Is the big blind allowed to raise if everyone else has called? Sorry if this is a beginner question but I always play poker with friends and they say I can't do it because as a big blind I have already "raised" :-(

 

[rshkrn]

Is the big blind allowed to raise if everyone else has called? Sorry if this is a beginner question but I always play poker with friends and they say I can't do it because as a big blind I have already "raised" :-(

If the entire table just calls, the big blind can definitely raise (or even reraise) as it's the last to act......how much the raise depends on the game NL, PL or limit

 

[darkerflow]

@rshkrn: Thanks for clearing that up!

Another question: How are straights valued that "wrap around" (include 2 as well as A) compared with other straights that don't.
For example, who wins JQKA2 or 9TJQK?

 

[maphesto]

Another question: How are straights valued that "wrap around" (include 2 as well as A) compared with other straights that don't.
For example, who wins JQKA2 or 9TJQK?

9TJQK is the only straight, JQKA2 is just 5 cards with an Ace as high card.

 

[BMWSTACK]

Is the big blind allowed to raise if everyone else has called? Sorry if this is a beginner question but I always play poker with friends and they say I can't do it because as a big blind I have already "raised" :-(

Being in the big blind even if everyone checks you can raise. Pre flop the big blind acts last so you can do whatever you want when it comes to you, fold, check(if everyone else checked, raise, re raise, or just win the small blind if everyone else folds.

 

[koles]

that's right! I also think that!

 

[birthdaysuit]

I don't see the point of straddling.
You're just raising the bind, how does that provoke "wild play"?