Order of action after a Straddle (2 Viewers)

[TheYeti]

I've tried to discourage straddling at my game, or making it from UTG only, but my degens prefer 'straddle from any position" so I've let them. However, we argue about how the action should progress pre-flop.

I say that pre-flop action should always start to the left of the straddle, they say action always starts UTG regardless of what position is straddled.

e.g. If UTG +1 straddles, UTG acts first, action then skips the straddler and progresses around the table until it reaches the straddler where he/she has last action.

Who's right?

Also, what if there is a raise in between first to act and the straddler?

 

[TonZaga]

I've limited our game to only UTG can straddle (max 3 total re-straddles) and have only ever seen action start after the last straddled position

 

[upNdown]

I think it can be (and is) done in different ways in different places. FWIW, they allow a straddle from any position at the MGM Springfield, MA. There, action starts to the left of the straddler, regardless of straddler’s position.

So I say they’re wrong. To be fair, I’ve heard of it being done that way, and it always sounded wrong to me. Keep it simple, I say.

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

0 chance my apes track anything but left of the straddle. We self deal the game so expecting normal players to remember that Tomboy gets to go again cause he's a special straddler would be annoying.

Action starts left of the straddle. Its your game, do whatever you want for the health of the game, but for mine it makes more sense to keep it orderly and start immediately after straddle.

 

[JustinInMN]

I only allow a single straddle under the gun myself when I host. (Anything else is a dark raise that is not "live.") Most other games I have played in only allow straddle on the button and under the gun, and play starts from the left there. The one game I play straddle from anywhere is @merkong 's game and that has the straddle being skipped until all other players have acted pre and the straddle gets one final action.

 

[Poker Zombie]

I've only seen it as starting left of the straddle. However, I don't allow straddles in my cash games.

Keep low stakes low. Save the straddles for the degen games.

 

[TheYeti]

0 chance my apes track anything but left of the straddle. We self deal the game so expecting normal players to remember that Tomboy gets to go again cause he's a special straddler would be annoying.

Action starts left of the straddle. Its your game, do whatever you want for the health of the game, but for mine it makes more sense to keep it orderly and start immediately after straddle.

My players argue why should the late position players be penalized and lose their better position (for example; if the HJ straddles then the CO and Button now have to act early). I didn't have an answer to that so I just let them do it their way.

 

[Frogzilla]

At choctaw with a button straddle, the action preflop goes:
-UTG first to act
-Action skips over the button (at least once, but possibly multiple times) until it’s all closed
-Button ultimate last action

At harrahs New Orleans with a button straddle, the action starts on small blind and doesn’t skip button


I don’t like straddles from non-UTG, but if they’re there:
-I prefer starting action UTG regardless of where straddle is to limit preflop position downside to other players.
-I prefer not giving straddles ultimate last action, just act in turn

 

[Highli99]

I believe all straddles should be UTG, as button straddles are too much of an advantage.

Once a straddle has been issued, my preferred action is as many additional straddles as possible.

But I am playing for fun with stakes that are comfortable.

 

[upNdown]

So in those situations where the straddler is skipped, what happens if there’s a raise before the action naturally would get to the straddler (so if straddler is in the middle, what happens if UTG raises?). Does action still skip the straddler? Does action continue around and around, skipping the straddlr until everybody’s done? Then the straddler finally acts?
Edit -

 

[JoeBGo]

In our game UTG can straddle and action continues in order back to UTG.

A button straddle makes action start at UTG and continues in order through the blinds and back to the button as last to act. Any raise before the button overrides the button straddle and continues action as normal.

A button straddle overrides the UTG straddle, we don’t allow straddling from any position other than those 2.

 

[Frogzilla]

So in those situations where the straddler is skipped, what happens if there’s a raise before the action naturally would get to the straddler (so if straddler is in the middle, what happens if UTG raises?). Does action still skip the straddler? Does action continue around and around, skipping the straddlr until everybody’s done? Then the straddler finally acts?
Edit -

Yes it can go CO open, SB flat, BB 3 bet, CO call, SB backraise 4bet, BB 5 bet, CO call, SB call 5 bet

All before Button has to do anything

 

[Frogzilla]

I think I hear it referred to as “ultimate last action” instead of just “last action” like the BB would normally have preflop

 

[upNdown]

Yes it can go CO open, SB flat, BB 3 bet, CO call, SB backraise 4bet, BB 5 bet, CO call, SB call 5 bet

All before Button has to do anything

So then if Button 6-bets and SB 7-bets and CO calls, does button act next, or is he skipped again?

 

[Machine]

At choctaw with a button straddle, the action preflop goes:
-UTG first to act
-Action skips over the button (at least once, but possibly multiple times) until it’s all closed
-Button ultimate last action

At harrahs New Orleans with a button straddle, the action starts on small blind and doesn’t skip button


I don’t like straddles from non-UTG, but if they’re there:
-I prefer starting action UTG regardless of where straddle is to limit preflop position downside to other players.
-I prefer not giving straddles ultimate last action, just act in turn

Yeah I don't how retarded the guy running this room is, but ultimate last action is for fuckbois with backpacks, playing a game that isn't considered poker.

My game doesn't like straddles, or a rock so I don't put them in, I personally prefer a Mississippi straddle. You can straddle from anywhere and worst position gets priority. Action starts left of the straddle full stop, no more discussion needs be had.

 

[Machine]

My players argue why should the late position players be penalized and lose their better position (for example; if the HJ straddles then the CO and Button now have to act early). I didn't have an answer to that so I just let them do it their way.

because they are putting money in the pot blind, it stimulates action, let them re-straddle the straddle

 

[ArielVer18]

At choctaw with a button straddle, the action preflop goes:
-UTG first to act
-Action skips over the button (at least once, but possibly multiple times) until it’s all closed
-Button ultimate last action

"Straddle to buy the ultimate last action preflop" is interesting. Does anywhere else have this?

 

[Machine]

"Straddle to buy the ultimate last action preflop" is interesting. Does anywhere else have this?

I've heard that Vegas has been doing it, but no details.

 

[jamesjkim]

"Straddle to buy the ultimate last action preflop" is interesting. Does anywhere else have this?

Oaks has been doing previous hand’s winner straddle for a bit and they get last action preflop. Not exactly buying ultimate last action but that’s how it plays.

 

[Blaster8]

every card room ive played it always goes left of the biggest$ straddle regardless of how silly the configurations end up being.

for example utg straddle, BU re straddle, HJ re re straddle now action starts left of HJ so CO is first to act

 

[Machine]

Oaks has been doing previous hand’s winner straddle for a bit and they get last action preflop. Not exactly buying ultimate last action but that’s how it plays.

This is typically referred to as a 'Rock' or putting the rock in the game.

The 'straddle' money is typically put into a Chip Protector / Holder and the value comes from the casino meaning a player doesn't buy the chip, in home games they will tape or use a rubber band to hold chips together. The 'straddle' money isn't cashed out.

It can be fun, but it typically raises the stakes of the game. They can be fun

 

[upNdown]

So then if Button 6-bets and SB 7-bets and CO calls, does button act next, or is he skipped again?

I’m going to ask this again, because nobody has addressed it. (I realize it’s unlikely to actually happen, but I need to know.)

 

[DuckFat]

I've tried to discourage straddling at my game, or making it from UTG only, but my degens prefer 'straddle from any position" so I've let them. However, we argue about how the action should progress pre-flop.

I say that pre-flop action should always start to the left of the straddle, they say action always starts UTG regardless of what position is straddled.

e.g. If UTG +1 straddles, UTG acts first, action then skips the straddler and progresses around the table until it reaches the straddler where he/she has last action.

Who's right?

Also, what if there is a raise in between first to act and the straddler?

Straddle from any position (except the blinds) is called a Mississippi straddle, with this type of straddle action starts to the left of the straddle and continues around, no skipping or other strange jumps in the order. If that was their intention then there's your answer

If they really want to degen then make it UTG only and allow re-straddles for double up to the button. Ever see a 1-3 with re-re-re-re-straddles up to 96? That will really let the degens loose.

IMO altering the starting order and jumping action to preserve the straddle or button as last to act unnecessarily slows down the game when people lose track of the action. I like the game moving without arguments over who's turn it is.

As you can see by the many variations of straddles previously posted, there is no right answer. It's your game so set the rules the way you want it.

 

[riesling]

In Colorado, they play a straddle variant I think works really well (if folks are insistent on being able to straddle outside of UTG)
- Straddle from any position
- UTG is always first to act
- If everyone limps or folds to Straddler, Straddler is skipped and gets option after the BB
- If anyone raises before the Straddler, the Straddler must act
It's kinda wonky initially, but I enjoyed it and it doesn't ruin the experience for the blinds

 

[Taghkanic]

I would not want to play in a game where the action does not start to the immediate left of the straddler.

I also tend to avoid games that allow straddles from anywhere except UTG. Button straddles (and to a lesser extent straddles from other random positions besides UTG) really change the game, and not in a positive or a particularly interesting way IMHO.