ATs first to act

Seems like an easy raise.

Yeah, raise. Our hand is too good to fold, but not strong enough to limp-back-raise, and we hate it if this goes multi-way or we just limp-call a single raise and have to play the rest of the hand from OOP. So by process of elimination, raising becomes the best choice.

Folding in a tough game, raising at a table of loose passives.

6 handed this is a mandatory open.

$5 straddle shouldn't be legal, its not even double the big blind.

Opening something like $18-25.

Not a fan of Mississipi style straddles where sb has to act first in general, they make games play tighter, and aren't really fair to sb and bb, which now lose their only advantage of being last to act. And the ev of blinds is negative normally.

Like they said raise

As for the straddle….
I have never been under the impression that it tightens up play - but there’s a lot of action in my room. Must be strategically aware of the strengths and weaknesses of this play whether you use it or not. The blinds hold a positional advantage on the button throughout the game. So the straddle says - let’s see what you do first this time.

I don’t straddle myself. I hope that I know the style of the two players to my left better than anyone else at the table. They are the players that can force me to change seats/tables.

When it’s done to me, I’m unbothered as I don’t defend from the blinds like in tournaments, so it’s usually closer to an early position range anyway.

Don’t see button straddles as being as ridiculous as straddling up front, but it’s simply a reality I face in most games.

I’d open to 20 if we’re confident postflop. Suited A plays okay, but you’re in the worst position. Folding’s totally fine tho