A local card room I normally play at allows a "hard rock" straddle. This means the BUTTON can straddle (any amount I believe). This is NOT the same as a Mississippi Straddle. UTG acts first the Button gets last action REGARDLESS of action in front. If there is a raise and a re-raise, the action around the entire table, including the blinds, completes before the button straddle acts.

This seems so advantageous I feel almost negligent by not taking advantage of it. However, I like keeping some stack depth and minimizing variance which leads me to often pass this option. So is it just too +EV of an option to pass up on or does it make sense to avoid this situation that raises the stakes and forces us to put in $ blind?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

If your in a game where you can straddle the Button... Then straddle the button.

For 90% of table dynamics, I prefer to just min-raise the BB whenever I put a straddle on the button. This way I invest the least amount possible & still close the action.

For the other 10%, I may straddle more if I feel that the specific table dynamic calls for it & would add to my ROI.

As far as maintaining stack depth... For the style I play, I prefer to never play short. Anytime I I get under 80% of the max-buy at the table, I top up. But that's just my preference.

Trying to understand this.

Lets say you straddle button for $5. Everybody calls, the action skips you, then the blinds call, then you can act to raise or check?

Is that how this works?

I believe Planet Hollywood in Vegas has this, or at least they did. I didn't really understand what was going on at the time and I'm sure the Dealers may have issues trying to explain it to Players, especially in a 'party' room like PH. They were allowing it from any position.

It is an interesting dynamic ... The Straddler is basically an observer until 'action closes' for the rest of the table and then the Straddler can fold, call or 're-open' action via another raise. So there is always the threat that the Straddler will come over the top (or not) as the other Players go through the 'normal' PF betting.

This is probably the most extreme straddle rule that I've come across since the Straddler can basically 'observe' a 3bet/4bet scenario .. and then gets to decide how to crash the party. GL

GN LV is similar but better. Action starts UTG and BS is skipped if no raise when it gets to him. Then SB BB act then back to button to close. But if raised before gets to button then button acts in turn.

In general BS will tighten up the game while UTG straddle loosens the game.

That is correct

This is the only form of BU straddle I've heard of that seems advantageous. I'd do it.

How is the normal method not just as advantaged? Action starts on the SB and Bbtn is still closing action unless raised along the way.

Because with a button straddle, we are in position and act last for the entire hand, not just pre-flop.

This sounds like the ultimate last action straddle that is commonly referred to as a Dallas straddle.

The way I understand it BU gets last action no matter what. If there’s a raise, action skips us and goes around the table. For example, action could go, UTG call, HJ raises, SB 3-bets, UTG calls, HJ 4-bets, SB calls, UTG calls and now action is on us having invested only 2BB.

This is what I got out of it as well. OP is this how it works? You could straddle and have multiple raises that skip over you before you ever have to act?

Yes! Sounds crazy but it is last action regardless

Still not +EV in a full ring game.

Depends on the kind of game. In a lot of “good” games it is.

This is true for all button straddles. This is why bs tightens the game

Ok that is different. Also have never previously seen or heard of this