What Is A Straddle Bet In Poker
Getting to grips with the terminology is all part of poker’s fascination. It also goes hand in hand with good tactical awareness and a sound success strategy.
While Straddling or “Playing a straddle” is often regarded as a negative in terms of profit over risk it should not be automatically dismissed. Let’s understand exactly what it is and two scenarios where it’s certainly worth a punt.
What is a straddle in Poker?
A player can initiate this play in any poker game and it is a reasonably regular occurrence for those involved in Texas hold’em.
When a player opts to straddle they are putting double the big blind (BB) amount before cards are dealt. It is usually the player to the left of the BB that makes this play. Once it is carried out, all others following players must either call or raise the bet placed.
A straddle in poker is when the player bets twice the big blind before the cards are shown.Blinds are required bets made before the player even looks at the cards. The big blind is the smallest bet possible, and the small blind is usually half of that. One of the genuinely odd pieces of poker strategies with which you have to be familiar is the poker straddle. In poker, to straddle means to put a sum at any rate double the big blind into the pot before the deal. Multiple times the big blind is the base sum for a straddle wager, yet there is no cap, and the straddle can be a lot higher blind. The straddle in poker is an extra bet that is placed before the cards are dealt. The straddle bet is usually equal to 2x the big blind (BB). In some particular cases that we explore in this article, the amount of. A straddle refers to an extra blind bet made preflop. Typically, this is made by the first player after the big blind (e.g. The Under-the-gun player), however in some variants that is not the case (some allow the button to straddle; others allow straddles from any position on the table). In the end, it depends on the rules of the casino.
A ‘live’ straddle acts like the BB
Good poker etiquette requires dealers to announce when a live straddle is ‘in play’. When “live” it acts like the BB. If none of the players raise, it is then down to the player straddling to decide whether to raise. This can only be done when it is their turn to play.
In the event, the dealer does not make the announcement this is termed as a dark raise. If this is the case the player straddling has no option in the event all other players simply call.
3 common types of straddle:
What Is A Straddle Bet In Poker Terms
If you intend to make straddling a part of your success strategy it is vital that you check the house rules. This is because not all poker rooms allow it, some do but specify which position the play can be made from, and the majority of online rooms do not allow it. Un-capped straddles for $1/$2 and $2/$5 are quite rare.
3 common types of the play you will come across:
- Under The Gun (UTG) Straddle: This is the classic play. It is where the UTG player lays double the BB BEFORE cards are dealt. They then act as the last preflop.
- Mississippi Straddle: This is easier to play than spell! It allows any player from any position the opportunity to straddle first. When the option is taken up they can straddle any amount preflop. By making this play they then have the advantage of acting last before the flop (assuming another player does not re-straddle, but this is less common). It is more often than not that the button makes this play. As with the UTG play, this option must be taken up BEFORE cards are dealt.
- Un-capped Straddle: As the term suggests, this removes the “double the BB limit” on the size of stake placed.
Should you make this play in Texas hold‘em?
While not all poker tacticians will agree, the general advice has to be No. This is because the only real advantage of straddling is the fact that during the first round of betting you have the advantage of acting last.
However, you have made a blind and if another player raises you will need a lucky hand in order to call. Taking everything into account this strategy usually costs you money.
Straddle Poker Term
Two exceptions:
- Lower stake games not to your liking: If you are involved in a hold’em game with lower stakes than you like, straddling can solve your issue because you can make the play from the start. It is seen as a good tactic if you feel your strategy will take other players out of their comfort zone. i.e. the majority will fold. In this situation, the play can work in your favor.
- One to strongly consider: When you are in the button position in a game allowing a Mississippi Straddle you have a huge advantage. This high ground is gained because you have the last position of that particular round. Such a play often encourages the BB to fold if they have poor cards.
Don’t dismiss straddling!
As a poker player, you should use straddling with caution and common sense. Do not dismiss it from your armory, but do use it wisely.
Watch Paul Phua straddling like a boss!
During the last Triton Poker Super High Roller Series 2018 in Jeju, South Korea, Tom Dwan and Paul Phua went head to head for a huge cash game pot.
After a long period of hesitation, Tom shoved ALL-IN with AQ against Paul Phua, who straddled. Unfortunately for him, Paul was holding the Pocket Aces!
Poker Straddle Basics
You could walk into half a dozen different casinos and find different house rules on the poker straddle but the basics don’t change much. A poker straddle is where the player who is meant to be under the gun, puts in an unforced bet (usually double the big blind). It is usually in No Limit Texas Holdem or Pot Limit Omaha. In order to straddle, you usually have to affirm this verbally before the cards are dealt so the dealer knows. Alternatively, you can just put double the blind before the cards are dealt. Again, the rules vary from one casino to the next whether that is binding. As the player doing the poker straddle has put in the optional bet, the action will start from UTG +1 and the poker straddle will have the final action pre flop. This is contrary to everything you may have learnt in poker and confuses many beginners.
Reasons to Embrace The Straddle
- Anyone willing to start putting in blind bets when they don’t have to, are likely to be the kind that will pot bet pre-flop with weaker hands. They are the type that will stack off lightly.
- It increases action, this is always a good thing, particularly a dead game.
- It gets nits off their game. Nitty players don’t like games with straddles as it increases the stakes.
Reasons Why Some Dislike The Straddle
- Turns skills game into more chance. The stacks to pot ratio is smaller.
- Harder to get to the flop as people try to to win the bigger pot before the flop.
- Increases the stakes, not something some players want, otherwise they would just play higher stakes.
What Is A Straddle Bet In Poker
Some people go a little crazy in hands involving a poker straddle like Tony G.
My Take on Poker Straddle
I love when players straddle. They are investing money they don’t have to, blindly. They may as well play at 3king.online if they want to play slots or blackjack. I don’t have to change or alter my strategy much and it changes nothing post flop. That’s an important thing to remember.
One of my favourite plays in a game with straddles is setting a trap, I will happily over limp or flat call a strong hand like A-K or Q-Q if the player straddling is prone to trying to win the pot pre flop. This is something you will often see from those that straddle. They know they have final action before the flop and will use this to exercise a big bet to win the pot. It’s an effective strategy at many tables but strong players can adjust accordingly and widen their stacking off range.
What Is A Straddle Bet In Poker Terms
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