[Poll] Straddles

Hello poker community!

I would like some feedback on the topic of straddling. This will only apply to cash games, obviously. 

If you are not aware of the "Straddle" it's essentially a third blind, typically double or slightly over double the big blind paid by the under-the-gun (UTG, - that is, the player directly after the Big Blind) player (e.g. in my local 1/2 you can straddle to £5). This player will get last action pre-flop if everyone folds or calls, and the minimum pre-flop call is now the straddle amount. Straddles are optionally enacted by the player in the correct position (generally UTG, some other games offer Button straddles, sleeper straddles etc but I'm thinking of the most common simple case).

In the case of Torn, I would suggest an UTG straddle that is consistently double the big blind (e.g. at River Wizard this would be $2,000,000). A player would choose to straddle between hands, once a hand starts the option disappears (like leaving the table or sitting out). It would also not be possible to Straddle with only 2 players because it's essentially meaningless.

So, is this a concept you would like introduced?

Straddles increase action and raise the stakes of any game where they're possible and players are willing to. This might not be ideal for every kind of player and even put them off joining a table. 

Please leave more detailed feedback if you have any!

As someone who likes to play short stacks I have to say no

I'm personally a no only because it feels too shallow for my liking at 200bb. It might suit others though who like the action.

Only UTG

Button straddles are dog shit action killers

shrug, if they arent mandatory its just an advantage for you, shoving range becomes much easier

Button straddles should be a crime tbh. Don't know why they're even allowed in some places.

i feel like this does open up a discussion for (not here) maybe adding some "deep" tables where you can buy in @500bb to maybe compliment straddles if they were to be added.

edit: i would think some deep tables would be cool anyway regardless of straddles being implemented

i want to see check-in-the-darks implemented first, it adds a nice bit of depth.

I think that would be entirely pointless in online poker? Because everything gets dealt instantly and doesn't have to wait on a "dealer"? And in principle you can already make it obvious that you are checking in the dark by preselecting the check button so that this also happens instantly with the flop deal?

Can we prioritize more tables first over straddle implementation?

On that note, could we also implement ways to prevent multi-collusion/abetting?

I feel like the additional action to make will slow down games and that's the only reason for my no

Would like to see implementation of ante to stop nits 

fair points, but i just wanted added visibility for that option so it has the same effect it does offline.

yes antes are significantly superior to straddles as a way to encourage action. straddles just punish fun players who like playing a lot of hands even harder

Ante would be interesting but would have to essentially function as a separate game. No way the Torn regs on average want to play an ante game.

Great idea.

Both antes and straddles punish recreational players, but it could argued antes do MORE so than straddles.

This is a good point, increase the max buy in to 400bb. I doubt that affect any action from potential players. 

My whole poker experience is within torn, but if those smarter than me think it’ll incentivise more players to join the tables then I’m game 

(I originally opted out of the vote for lack of knowledge)

Do I want to give my opponent the option to blindly increase the stakes out of position? Sure!