Mississippi Straddle

[Chipless Wonder]

Last night I was playing at the Gemini Player's Club when they introduced their version of the Mississippi straddle. The game was $1/$3 NLHE, and they allowed a button straddle of any amount from $6 through $30. If the button opted out of the straddle, then the cutoff was given the option, etc. In each case, the small blind had to act first pre-flop, so that seemed a little strange too. This straddle sure brough some action to the game!

Has anyone else seen the straddle done in this way?

[CSuave]

Doesn't that kinda defeat the purpose of the Mississippi Straddle? I thought the purpose (beyond just creating action) was to have last action preflop. This allows the button to retain position the whole hand. It is actually better for the button than any other hand.

[Chipless Wonder]

Doesn't that kinda defeat the purpose of the Mississippi Straddle? I thought the purpose (beyond just creating action) was to have last action preflop. This allows the button to retain position the whole hand. It is actually better for the button than any other hand.

The button still had last action, so this was still a great deal in my opinion.

[CSuave]

When I have played Mississippi Straddle the straddler has last action preflop and after the flop the last action reverts back to the button. Even in a standard (normal) non straddle hand the button does not have last action preflop, the big blind does.

[erik_1717]

I used the term Mississippi straddle in Vegas in reference to using it on the button and was told that was incorrect terminology by the dealer and several players at the table. Has anyone else heard this before?

[Headhunter]

I used the term Mississippi straddle in Vegas in reference to using it on the button and was told that was incorrect terminology by the dealer and several players at the table. Has anyone else heard this before?

The RIO during WSOP time allows a button straddle in their cash games. In a button straddle, the button puts out 2xBB and the SB acts first preflop. This allows the button to act last on every street. If the button does not want to straddle, UTG (or traditional straddle) may straddle. These are the only two positions allowed to straddle.

In a true Mississippi straddle, every postion except the blinds can straddle.

[Headhunter]

When Gemini first opened, they allowed UTG to straddle for any amount. They then did away with this rule and now only allowed UTG to straddle for 2xBB.

I hadn't heard they introduced the button straddle (as if Gemini needs any more action). Did they say why they are limiting the straddle size to 10xBB? Or why they don't just keep it at 2xBB like they do for UTG straddle (or maybe they eliminated this rule as well)?

[paratrooper99]

Seminole Tampa Hard Rock has the same rules. The action begins to your immediate left which gives a huge advantage to the straddle. I wish more casinos implemented it.