What Does Straddle Mean In Texas Holdem

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The straddle must be the size of a normal raise over the big blind. A straddle is a live bet; but does not become a 'bigger blind'. The straddle acts as a minimum raise but with the difference being that the straddler still gets their option of acting when the action returns to them. Poker author Steve Selbrede (The Statistics of Poker, Beat the Donks, Donkey Poker) continues his strategy series on low-stakes Las Vegas cash games.Straddling is a somewhat controversial topic in. This generally means Texas hold’em or Omaha. You honestly won’t see this is any other variation. The option to straddle goes to the person who is in the worst position (under the gun), generally, to the left of the big blind. If the bet is going to be made, it’s going to be made out loud. How the actual re-straddle works is, as always, also going to depend heavily on the rules of the house. Classic Poker Straddle. It’s a good idea to knock this one out step by step. This is what it’s going to look like if you see straddles in most poker games. You’ll start with a flop game. This generally means Texas hold’em or Omaha. When we speak about straddling in Texas Holdem, we mean doubling the big blind into the pot before the start of the game. Straddling is common in Omaha and Texas Holdem, but can be done in all the branches of poker. If a player wants to straddle, they should do it before the game starts or before any player looks at their cards.

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 ‘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:

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Two exceptions:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Mean

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!

What is a straddle in poker?

The straddle is a blind bet added to the pot by the small blind with the intention of inflating the pot. The straddle is always placed by the first to act (the player UTG) after the posting of the blinds. Normally, the straddle amount will be double the big blind. Occasionally it will be more - Like 2.5bb.

The Double straddle: the SB has posted, BB posted, UTG has straddled and now the player after UTG makes it a double strabble.

Since the straddle inflates the pot and adds even more 'dead money' to the pot, it always creates for a more action packed hand with people fighting to win the money which has been blindly contributed to the pot.

Straddle

Hypothetically the straddle can go on and on until the button is the last to straddle. The action might look like this:

Seat 1 sb: Sb: $2.50

Seat 2 bb: $5

Seat 3 straddle: $10

What Does Straddle Mean In Texas Hold'em

Seat 4: Double straddle: $20

Seat 5: Triple straddle: $40

Straddle

Seat 6: quadruple straddle: $80

Seat 7: quintuple straddle $160

Seat 8: Sextuple Straddle $320

Seat 9: Button ???

What Does Straddle Mean In Texas Holdem

The button cannot be in the straddle as somebody needs to eventually open the action!

As we mentioned, the point of straddles to create more action! Most the times players will do this when everyone at the table agrees to do a round of them. This is so not one player has the advantage or is at the disadvantage. The player with the advantage will be the button. This is because btn is last to act so has position and can exploit the straddler/s. Straddles create more action as there is more money in the pot to fight over.

What Does Straddle Mean In Texas Hold'em Poker

Advantages of straddling in poker:

  • Bigger Games - It creates bigger games
  • Creates more action - Because of the amount of blind money in to pot to be won.
  • Keeps fishin the game - Fish play because they want to gamble, and with more action in the pot the fish remains interested.
  • Punish The Nits