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• What Is A Straddle Bet In Poker Terms

What is a straddle in poker? A straddle is an optional cash game pre-flop bet that must be exactly double that of the current big blind amount. It is usually made by the player seated directly to the left of the big blind and must be wagered before the dealing begins. Post-flop, the player who wagered the straddle acts last. 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.

by Donna AmoPosted on 11 Jan, 2021

If you’re a beginner in the poker space, chances are that you’re still not 100 percent sure about the terms and lingo of the game. But you’re passionate about poker and are willing to learn every aspect of the game and we are here to acquaint you with poker terms, slang and more. In the process of your learning, you might have come across the term ‘Straddle Bet.’ Maybe you saw it in those live poker videos on YouTube or just heard someone mention it in a game. If you’re completely clueless as to what it is, read below to broaden your spectrum of poker GK.

What is a Straddle Bet?

Straddle betting in poker is an optional blind bet, i.e. when an extra bet is placed before the cards are dealt to the players. The size of the bet is usually double (2x) the big blind (BB). However, the size of the bet can vary as there are many variations of straddle in poker.

How is straddle bet placed?

• The player seated to the left of the BB is normally the one with the option to place a straddle bet.
• The straddle bet can only be announced before the cards are dealt and not after.
• The size of the straddle bet is normally double the big blind. Eg: In a no limit game with INR 10/20 stakes, a straddle bet would then be INR 40.
• The one who places the bet or the ‘straddler’ is given another chance to look at their card and make a decision to check/fold/raise based on it.

Types of Straddle Bets

1. The Under-the-Gun (UTG) Straddle: Here the UTG player (player to the immediate left of the BB) is required to place the straddle bet before the cards are dealt. This is the most common straddle bet in poker and is the one that is normally followed.
2. The Mississippi Straddle: Here any player on the table has the option to straddle but only if they do it before the cards are dealt. The player who places the bet is the last one to act before the flop opens.
3. The Un-Capped Straddle: An un-capped straddle means there is no limit to how much players can bet. It does not follow the 2x BB rule and lets players bet as much as they want or can afford to. This type of straddle is mainly followed in high cash games.
4. The Button Straddle: This type of straddle is given more importance over the UTG straddle, as a game cannot have more than one straddle. The player with the button makes the bet. But, this type of straddle bet is a confusing one as the order of playing gets messed up.

There are many poker players who either support or stand against this type of betting. More conservative players feel that this type of betting makes the game of skill look like a game of luck. But for players who like to be a little more aggressive, find it to be an exciting way to play while ensuring a maximum pot.

For more helpful and interesting content on poker and other card games, keep reading GutshotMagazine.com.

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Comments

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.

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.

Donk Betting Strategy

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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