If you're straddling on the button it's because you want less action from everyone else at the table. Think about why the blinds are to the left of the button and they're not in the cutoff and hijack. That's what the button straddle does. Then the same person usually complains that there's no action. You can be a man and straddle UTG, but of course that would mean you're out of position. And you want OTHER people to gamble?

Like I said, almost invariably.

Yeah there needs to be a discussion about the horrendous behaviour of terrible nits playing super-tight and then complaining about the game being too little action. Sorta similar to people in traffic complaining about traffic while not acknowledging that they are the traffic, but even more egregious.

Do I want OTHER people to gamble? not really ...I would be perfectly happy if everyone else folds pre-flop every time I straddle, but that doesn't happen. .... If there is a flop, I still get to act last.

I've been doing this for about 30 years. My observations are different than your analysis concludes about "what the button straddle does" .... at least when I do it.

I am willing to make nits in the blinds fold simply by straddling. It is more effective than a button raise as they generally still have to act before I act again.

There are other effects arising from placing a button straddle as well, as it pressures all nits at the table a bit .... which is generally positive.

I don't mind what is a "blind raise" in essence.

Curious, what do you think is so "manly" about straddling UTG ?

Agreed.
Especially ones who only button straddle but won't utg.

I've come across about 10 or so who know fully well the casino they're in doesn't allow button straddles but they'll try and out one out to pretend they're giving action. I've called out several of them as it gets really annoying when they're doing the same routine for the 5th time in that poker room.

Lol@ saying the button straddle is gambling.
No then folding more oop is doing a disservice to the entire table.

It's the NIT STRADDLE.

"Woohoo look at me guys I'm really gambling with this +ev straddle on the button."

Give me a break.

if the blinds are playing too tight button straddling makes their play more correct than usual. DUCY?

It’s pretty hard to play -too tight- in the blinds against a button straddle, unless the game is extremely passive or unobservant. Their position is worse than UTG on every street.

That’s the big problem with the button straddle. There are ways for players to the right of the button to counter it. But it’s just so punishing for the blinds that it makes the game unfun for them. And if only a couple people are button straddling, the permanent positional disadvantage it puts the people in those seats in makes the game fundamentally unfair.

Button straddles should be larger than 2x.

In the game I typically play, the button straddle is 5x the big blind. (It's a 1/2 PLO with 5 bring in) So while this does force the blinds to play super tight, it still increases the size of the game, and seems like an appropriate button straddle amount that actually is an action play. The utg straddle is still far better for the game, but a button straddle is significantly better than no straddle in this format.

How would you feel if the only people straddling the button (other than you) were the two people to your right? You would be completely happy with that?

for once, I actually agree with all the 2p2 live regs, 2x btn straddle is bad for the game and should be banned. I'd love to see some actual stats, but I'm fairly certain that it actually leads to smaller average pots in all but the most passive games

Imagine button straddling for 30 years and then saying other people are the nits, even going as far as to imply that YOU are the one making the game better lmao. Ejames is 100% correct in his assessment of button straddlers.

It's amazing. Nits LOVE button straddling almost as much as they love talking up their "action".