Cash Game Mississippi Straddle (1 Viewer)

Jimulacrum

Full House
Joined
Nov 16, 2014
Messages
2,652
Reaction score
4,155
Location
Pone
Without consulting any websites, what is your understanding of what a Mississippi straddle is?
 
Straddle from any position, with the button getting first priority and moving backwards from there. Preflop action starts first position after the straddler.
 
Straddle from any position, with the button getting first priority and moving backwards from there. Preflop action starts first position after the straddler.

This exactly and I'll add the blinds cannot straddle. FYI, this is what they do in Mississippi casinos.
 
Straddle from any position, with the button getting first priority and moving backwards from there. Preflop action starts first position after the straddler.

This is correct. It's typically a button straddle but can move.
 
Love the Mississippi! It’s in play in almost all of our cash games. Pretty sure they allow a $5 in the $1/$2 game @ Planet Hollywood, good times!
 
Mississippi Straddle: An ill-conceived concept that artificially raises the stakes and, when done by others, makes it less likely poor players will make pre-flop mistakes.
 
I don't like the Mississippi straddle, but I'll never complain about someone putting blind money in the pot.
 
What is the straddle called when there is a button straddle but the first to act is the player just to the left of the BB? Betting starts there and goes around the table, skipping the button straddle, then the blinds act with the last action going back to the button straddle. I like this better as the blinds don't have to act first putting them at a disadvantage.
 
What is the straddle called when there is a button straddle but the first to act is the player just to the left of the BB? Betting starts there and goes around the table, skipping the button straddle, then the blinds act with the last action going back to the button straddle. I like this better as the blinds don't have to act first putting them at a disadvantage.

That's a standard button straddle with an unusual order of action.

As much as I can see how this prevents the blinds from having to act first, it's just too messy IMO. Now the straddle not only changes the base stakes for that hand, but makes the order of action a big confusing ordeal.

What happens if someone raises preflop? Does it go through the straddler or the blinds first? What if there are multiple raises? Do you have to continually put the raises through this altered order as if the straddler is to the BB's left even though he's two seats to the right? That could invite a lot of mistakes.
 
The one time I played it, any raises preflop still skip the button straddle and then action reverts to him after the blinds have acted. Action would then continue as normal, no more altered order.
 
I only like UTG straddles. Button straddling is bad for the game IMO. Gives too much power to the button and the blinds fold a lot more since they are first to act now. With no straddle or a UTG straddle the blinds defend a lot more which increases money put in the pot from bad position players, that I do like!
 
Last edited:
I always thought it was a backwards only straddle. Most places allow just a single button straddle as the Mississippi.

That being said, if you have the opportunity make the pot bigger in the best position on the table I will pretty much always do it. It doesn't really make sense to not do it.
 
I think the definition has been thoroughly covered here by others but I will add that they can be great to get action going in a nitty game. Sure they can steam everyone to the point of breaking the game (if only one player straddles too much and the other players remain nitty...thinking in games where more than just 2X the BB max straddle is allowed)

I disagree that make straddles make it less likely for weaker players to make mistakes, in my experience is causes them to make more as they call straddles more than they should. (they are just going to make those mistakes with players in the straddle pots) If you dont play straddled pots, the fish will mostly give their money away to the most aggressive players in those pots. I agree though that they artificially change the stakes, however knowing that, you can decide whether or not to play in it and adjust your thinking to a bigger game.

Not sure if its the same for everyone, but from my experience the Mississippi straddles will be almost universally button straddles, and will put more money and players in pots than standard UTG only straddles.


For cash game hosts:

If you've got gamblers in your game and they are bored, then consider allowing straddles (in front or Mississippi with Button straddles getting first option, then allow double straddles, and even triple straddles. Double/Triple straddles can make for a maniac game but will keep the button from having too much power as Rhodeman has stated. That will keep the button in check.

(Where I deal they play a 5/25 game, in which there is no SB/BB, only a forced button (Mississippi style) straddle anywhere from $5-$25 in $5 increments. $500 min buy-in, most BI's are 1k+. There are often double and triple straddles. I usually deal a few 2K-$3K PF pots induced stricly from straddles and restraddles that get raised and fought over for meager holdings a night. Knowing that a larger button straddle ($20-25) to start can cause an avalanche of restraddles and crazy action keeps most in check. The game usually runs 3 days straight with most un-busted players only leaving to smoke or go to the bathroom.) While not the same as a Blinds game, it yields some interesting insight into the nature of Mississippi straddles.

If its mostly tight players, but the action is way too dry, I would say allow Mississippi straddles at 2X BB max with no double straddles. With second option going to UTG or just a 2X BB max UTG straddle only. It will put more money in pots and still keep the game sane and not turn away tighter players.

Sorry for the long reply. Drank too much coffee.
 
I know that I've done it at the Rio and a few casinos in Las Vegas. They don't allow it in any of the casinos in PA or Atlantic City. I never seen it in Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun. I first learned about it because one of our home game players when we used to play a lot of home games used to love to do it.
 
Last edited:
The Button or Mississippi straddle in many poker rooms and games gets ultimate last action.
 

Create an account or login to comment

You must be a member in order to leave a comment

Create account

Create an account and join our community. It's easy!

Log in

Already have an account? Log in here.

Back
Top Bottom