Quote:
Originally Posted by Skadet
I’ve always wondered this… what’s the point of the forced straddle - why not increase the stakes?
And what is up with the 3 blind poker in SJ where there aren’t any jackpots? I used to play at Capital Casino in sac once upon a time, they had 3 blinds too but at least they had jackpots.
I believe there are two reason for this structure.
In California's poker clubs, it is illegal to charge a variable rake dependent on pot size. The clubs can charge a fixed amount per hand and is called a drop.
So in a 1/2 game with the button and blinds calling at the Commerce for example then the dealer takes all $5 dollars in the pot and drop it. So when the button bets $2 to win the pot on the flop, the button still looses $2 for the hand. Fun times.
As for the mandatory straddle and low buy ins in California, the card room operators wanting to protect their table drop design rules that benefit the poor players over the good players. Since a mandatory straddle, or double the blind bring ins in the bay area reduces how deep the game plays, and gives the poor players an advantage. Add to the absurdly low buyins in So Cal you get my point.