Tournament Strategies
After receiving pocket cards, you are immediately faced with a choice: play your cards and either raise or call the blinds, or fold.
Practice Matters
Once the pot is opened, the game proceeds
Once the pot is opened, the game proceeds in the usual Draw Poker way, each succeeding player having the choice of folding, calling or raising. When the turn of play reaches the blind and straddle, who have already anted one and two units respectively, these units are credited to any bet they choose to make. Example: Suppose a previous player has opened the pot for four units, the blind may call for only three additional units and the straddler for only two additional units.
Recently on a casino investigation
Recently on a casino investigation for the government in Lesotho, Southern Africa, I witnessed a big limit Blind and Straddle game played with optional straddles. If the second player to the dealer's left decides not to straddle, he becomes the first to act after looking at his cards. In this instance, he can open for two units or fold. If the second player decides to straddle, he must bet two units without looking at his hand.