Straddles and Tipping

bantee

Hi,

I know this has been covered umpteen times in the past, but could someone just give a brief explanation as to a "straddle" in a live cash game ie €1-2€.
My understanding is that its a verbal agreement that the person UTG increases the BB amount to lets say €5 to play a hand and then a full rotation of the table occurs if everyone agrees to pay the straddle UTG?

Also what is the standard dealer tip after a pot is won? Lets say I take €80 after the rake is taken, would a standard tip be 5%: €4 for the dealer. Does this go into a dealer's tip box which is separate from the casino's rake?

I'm going to give live cash a go during the week as I've only played it online and only ever played live tournaments before. I just want ot get my head around a few concepts so I don't look totally confused and fishy!

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Taxipete29

Your spot on about the straddle. When the straddle is live meaning everyone has agreed to it the person who posts it also gets the option to raise when it comes back around assuming it hasnt been raised already. Sometimes players will post the straddle without an agreement from everyone as a way of generating action. This will not get you an option to raise.

As for tipping 5% is way too much imo. From an €80 I would say €1 or €2 max. Its hard enough to make a profit live with the rake so no need to be making it harder by over tipping.

ollyk1

bantee wrote: »

Hi,

I know this has been covered umpteen times in the past, but could someone just give a brief explanation as to a "straddle" in a live cash game ie €1-2€.
My understanding is that its a verbal agreement that the person UTG increases the BB amount to lets say €5 to play a hand and then a full rotation of the table occurs if everyone agrees to pay the straddle UTG?

Also what is the standard dealer tip after a pot is won? Lets say I take €80 after the rake is taken, would a standard tip be 5%: €4 for the dealer. Does this go into a dealer's tip box which is separate from the casino's rake?

I'm going to give live cash a go during the week as I've only played it online and only ever played live tournaments before. I just want ot get my head around a few concepts so I don't look totally confused and fishy!

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Your understanding of a straddle is correct. In practice around town it'll be agreed by the whole table that the straddle will be live but you don't have to do it. Generally it remains on for the whole game. It gets around the issue of paying a higher rake for a "bigger" game as the game is still technically a €1/€2 game. The house will usually turn a blind eye to the practice as it encourages bigger pots and it can be difficult to get a full table for €2/€5 but easier for €1/€2 with a live straddle.

Generally its agreed to in the nlh in the SE but not the plh.

I generally tip €1 for a pot up to €100 and a bit more for bigger pots or if I get lucky (I know it evens out but it feels right somehow). I tip on pretty much all pots I win so this works out reasonably okay I feel. €4 for an € 80 pot seems excessive to me. I tip 5% if I win a or have a good money finish in a tournie.


In any reputable establishment around town staff tips are totally separate.

fl&sh

straddle=a blind raise utg.you dont need any agreements to do it but make sure you know if its live or not.

the difference being if you straddle and get 5 callers when it gets back to you you will have the option to reraise(LIVE) or forced to check (NOT LIVE)very important to check before you sit down to the table.

you'll find at some tables its the same 4 or 5 players (or more)that straddle all the time but dont feel pressured into putting it in at any time,you dont have to.

also remember your straddle can be re straddled by utg2 to double your bet,and so on, so if the player next to you is inclined to do this from time to time make sure you have a nice big bank roll with you.

about the tipping.its really up to yourself.me,usually either E1 or E2 or if its a big pot,say 300+ maybe E5.its up to you.but if the dealer reminds you about your forgotten tip,jokingly or not,dont tip.:cool:and if you forget to tip after winning a hand,give a bit extra the next time.

bantee

Cheers for the replies lads. This should help me avoid asking stupid questions at the table!