Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Spyutastic
Sorry but this is just lol.
Guaranteed if you filtered for your straddled hands you are negative $. There's really no way around it.
Your comment about win rate is like saying,
When I play 5/10 I've found my win rate to be a lot better than when I play 2/5.
I mean you might be making more money in absolute $ amounts sure, but if you adjust the comparison based on bb I doubt it's all that different.
A couple things:
1st: your 2/5 to 5/10 comparison is not equal to what I said. 2/5 and 5/10 are different games with different player pools. You can expect tough competition at 5/10 then you can at 2/5 or at 1/2, and with tougher players naturally you will have a lower win rate. By straddling in my games, I am playing with the same players but at a higher BB level. They don't start playing better because the BB amount went up, they play the same (mostly bad / losing game) that they always do. The good players still play well and the bad players play bad, they just lose more quicker.
2nd: It also helps to create a more fun environment (usually), leading to bigger pots and bigger stacks.
3: In my game the max buy is 75% of the biggest stack at the table (with a max of $300 to start). As the stacks get bigger (whether I win the pots or not), I can now add on for more giving me the ability play deeper stacked poker. Straddling helps get to this point quicker.
4) My normal game is at a private club with no rake.
So maybe you are right that If i only look at the hands that I straddle and at no other aspects of the game, then I would see a rate lower than I believe it to be. But based on all of the aspects that I mentioned, it's a no brainier for me and I will keep doing it.