{"id":39158,"date":"2024-04-15T04:43:03","date_gmt":"2024-04-15T09:43:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/?p=39158"},"modified":"2024-05-23T08:28:12","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T13:28:12","slug":"what-is-a-straddle-in-poker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/what-is-a-straddle-in-poker\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is A Straddle In Poker & When Shouldn’t You Do It?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A straddle in poker means voluntarily paying an extra blind, or in other words, doubling the bet before anyone has seen their cards. <\/strong>This article will teach you exactly what this means, as well as when you should and shouldn’t do it. For example, you should avoid straddling when short-stacked, but consider it when button straddling<\/em> is allowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Straddling in poker can be overwhelming for beginners. But after reading, you should not only understand the basic mechanics, but the best opportunities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is A Straddle In Poker?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In poker, a straddle is akin to paying an extra big blind. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If this already sounds confusing to you and makes your eyes glaze over, don\u2019t panic\u2014you\u2019re not alone. A poker term<\/a> that often trips up beginners is \u201cblinds.\u201d So stay with me, as just for a moment, we do need to get technical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Texas Hold \u2018Em, there is always a \u201cbutton\u201d placed at the table (see below). This is a physical button. The two players to the left of the button are called the blinds<\/em>. The first person to the left of the button is the small blind<\/em>; the person to the left of them is the big blind<\/em>. If you\u2019re playing $1\/$2 stakes for example, the small blind will have to pay $1 and the big blind will have to pay $2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Diagram<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paying the blinds is mandatory\u2014it\u2019s actually a shorthand term for \u201cblind bet.\u201d Because you have to pay this amount before<\/strong> you\u2019ve seen your cards. In other words, you have to pay it blindly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Bonus technical language if you want to get really precise: This is why players start with a raise preflop<\/u> rather than a bet. The blinds were already a placed bet, so, for example, you can\u2019t bet $10 but you can raise to $10).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A straddle means voluntarily paying an extra blind.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do Straddles Work In Poker?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the example of the $1\/$2 game, the small blind is $1, the big blind is $2, and you can straddle to $4\u2014all without seeing your cards. Again, it functions like an extra big blind because you\u2019ve put in this money blindly before seeing your cards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People can even \u201cdouble straddle\u201d at certain casinos. This would mean the small blind pays $1, the big blind pays $2, the straddle pays $4, and the double straddle pays $8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What would a super-ultra-rare triple straddle look like in this example? The triple straddle player would pay $16.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Straddling in poker is doubling the last bet before anyone has seen their cards.<\/strong> If the stakes were $5\/$10, the player straddling would pay $20 prior to being dealt their hand. You need to declare your intention to straddle in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pro tip:<\/strong> If you choose to straddle, point to those extra chips so the dealer notices. They will then announce, \u201cSTRADDLE!\u201d to the table so everyone knows that you placed your straddle before seeing your hand.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Once a player has straddled, that is now the minimum price to continue playing. Instead of it costing a minimum of $2 to keep playing, it is now $4 (or whatever the amount straddled to is). Straddling in poker is a way of raising the stakes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who Can Straddle In Poker?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First of all, it is important to mention that every casino is different and will have their own rules and regulations. Some venues will not allow straddling at all. The same applies when playing online poker<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most commonly, however, you can choose to straddle when you are seated under-the-gun<\/em>. That means you are the first person to act preflop. This is why in the previous section we indicated the person left of the big blind\u2014that is the under-the-gun seat. If a casino allows straddles, you can always elect to straddle when you are here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From time to time you will encounter a casino that also permits button straddles<\/em> (a.k.a a \u2018Mississippi straddle\u2019). This means you can straddle when you are located on the button seat as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if both the under-the-gun player and the button player want to straddle? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is up to the casino who takes priority\u2014don\u2019t hesitate to ask. Good questions to ask when you\u2019re new to a card room are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Do you allow straddles here?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Can you straddle on the button or only under-the-gun? <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Does the under-the-gun straddle or the button straddle get priority?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    In rare scenarios, you will find a game where you can straddle from any position at the table. In any case, the action usually<\/em> starts left of the last straddle preflop. If the under-the-gun player straddled, the person to their left will have the first decision preflop whether to fold or play their hand. If the button player straddled, the person in the small blind will have the first decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There are definitely exceptions to button straddles, so it\u2019s always good to clarify with the dealer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What you need to know is this:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n