In poker, a straddle is an optional blind bet made before the cards are dealt, usually by the player “under the gun” (UTG)—the one immediately to the left of the big blind. The straddle is typically double the big blind and is posted voluntarily to add more action to the game.
A straddle acts like a third blind, but with one key difference: the straddler gets to act last in the preflop betting round, giving them a slight strategic edge.
There are also other types of straddles:
Straddles are mostly seen in cash games, not tournaments.
Straddling doesn’t increase your odds of winning, but it does increase the size of the pot and the intensity of the action. It’s a bold move meant to create bigger pots—and sometimes, bigger swings.
We inform you that this website uses cookies. To consent, click the ‘Agree’ button or continue browsing. To learn more about our privacy policy, click here.
Comments