Las Vegas -- The power of the straddle

LAS VEGAS -- Not too long after I finally get to sit down at the blogger's $2/4 HORSE table at the MGM Grand's poker room, the blinds greet me to my right.

And before the dealer starts throwing out the cards, I know what to do -- I ceremoniously throw out four chips into the middle of the table.

Straddle. It's the best way to make yourself known to your table.

The straddle prompts Johnny from poker nation to put out a $6 re-straddle, although he's told that that bet isn't live. When the cards come, Alan (link later!) makes it $8. I think Felicia calls. I cap it. Johnny calls.

Both Johnny and I have not looked at our cards. I go ahead and bet it out before the flop comes.

The cards come out. There's KT8. I think it gets called around at this point.

The turn comes. Another 8. I bet it out blind (Johnny and I still have not looked at our cards).

"I believe in the power of the straddle," I say, remembering my Dec. 4 birthday straddle at Binion's NL $1/2 table.

Alan raises. "Have you looked at your cards yet," he asks. Felicia folds. I call it, believing he likes his AK versus the random and unknown hands that Johnny and I have.

Johnny folds, showing 26.

I hold out chips above the felt's play line as the river card, a 4, comes. "Do you want me to bet?" I ask Alan, not knowing whether he'll raise me or not. Four dollars already is in his hand.

"That depends on what you do."

Not sure of what I should do, I drop the chips into the pot at the last moment. He calls.

I'm thinking I'll be looking at AK. He flips over AT.

I spread my cards out side by side. "Which one do you want to see first?" He points to the one on the right.

It's a four. Hmmm.

I turn over the other card. It's an 8, making my boat and immediately I reaffirm my belief in the power of the straddle.