Straddle in Poker

A classic, but perhaps not well-known poker move is the straddle.

It’s a popular powerplay at the table, but not every poker room permits it and it only works on no limit games. Typically, there are several different versions of the straddle.

If you love playing position and hate sitting under the gun, maybe the straddle is the move for you.

Join us as we deal you a full house of facts about the straddle – what it is, when you should play it, and why it’s a cool move that might be worth adding to your poker play portfolio.

What Is a Straddle?

A straddle is an additional blind bet, added pre-flop.

The classic straddle is played by the player in the under the gun (UTG) position, to the left of the big blind.

It is usually – but not always – double the big blind ante. It means that the first round of betting action now starts with the player one position to the left of the player who straddled.

In effect, the player who straddled will now be the last to act, at the end of the first round of betting. It allows this player the luxury of watching the rest of the table make their bets, calls, and folds before making his or her play.

Understanding poker positions is vital to good play and when you straddle, you are effectively paying for better position.

The downside is that the player who straddled may have drawn rags. He or she is now committed to the pot, having dropped double the big blind.

Types of Straddle

We’re talking poker. As you would expect, there are many variants of the straddle and different ways they work in certain poker strategies including:

The truth is that several of these are more or less the same type of straddle. Let’s take a closer look.

The UTG Straddle

This is the basic straddle outlined above. The player to the left of the big blind places a straddle bet, equivalent to two times the big blind.

By doing this, they move the player to their left into the under the gun position. In effect: he has paid for the best position at the table, pre-flop.

A straddle usually takes place in a live game and you have to announce that you are about to straddle.

If the big blind is $10, the straddle will be $20. You can say either ‘straddle’, or ‘live $20’. You need to let the dealer know your intentions before the flop.

The Multi-Straddle

Let’s imagine the player sat next to you was under the gun. He or she has straddled. Now, you are under the gun. Not cool.

Fortunately, you can also straddle. You double the previous straddle again, moving the player, seated to your left, under the gun. You are now in the best position.

Of course, that player can re-straddle as well. The pre-flop increasing exponentially.

For example: if the blinds are $5/$10, the initial straddle will cost $20. If the next two players also both straddle, they will wager $40 and $80 respectively.

The pre-flop pot has increased more than tenfold, from the mandatory $15 to $155.

If player five opts to straddle, he will have to bet $160 blind. The pot will now be $315. If player six wants to call, it will now cost $160, instead of the initial big blind of $10.

If you’re not holding the nuts, it’s time for a fold.

The Uncapped Straddle

Are you an impatient player with deep pockets, no fear, and a hot date you can’t miss? Then the uncapped straddle could be the play for you.

In some no-limit games, card rooms will allow the player, who is UTG, to straddle with as many chips as they want.

It’s the ultimate powerplay to shake up a passive table. Straddle ten times the big blind, encourage everyone to join in, and get a serious pre-flop pot. Of course: you might end up with a 2 – 7 off suit…

The Mississippi Straddle

There is a general consensus in online poker forums and card room chat that the straddle is a popular move in southern states.

So, it is fitting that the next type of straddle on our list is called the Mississippi straddle.

In this move, any player can straddle regardless of position. If a player makes a straddle, the action starts with the player to their left.

He or she will have to call the straddle which will be at least twice the size of the big blind.

Of course, if the card room permits it, you could make an uncapped Mississippi straddle. In effect, the player is buying position with a large pre-flop bet.

The Button Straddle

The button straddle is a specific type of Mississippi straddle. In this case, the player in the button/dealer position makes the straddle.

This forces the small blind and the big blind to act first. The player in the big blind position now has to double his ante to stay in the hand.

This sucks for the players in the blinds. They lose the cheap option to call and the free option to check. You need suited connectors or a high pocket pair to consider staying in the pot.

The only difference between the Mississippi straddle and the button straddle is simply that the button straddle has to be on the button. Obvious, really.

The Mandatory Straddle

There are some card rooms where a straddle is mandatory and part of the game.

It’s also known as a ‘3-blind’ game. The objective here is simply to increase the pre-flop pot. Can you straddle again, following the mandatory straddle? Probably.

In theory, a straddle is a voluntary bet. The concept of a mandatory straddle is something of an oxymoron. If you have no choice, then it is simply a third blind. Check the house rules.

Other Straddles

To this list, you can add: late position straddle (a Mississippi straddle in a late position), the large blind straddle (this time the player in the big blind position doubles his own pot), as well as assorted straddle variants devised by poker players with too much time on their hands.

When you play live poker, it’s up to the players, or the hosting card room, to decide what straddles they want to allow. This can vary from table to table at the same venue.

Online Straddles

The straddle is confined mainly to live poker rooms. However, there are a handful of online poker sites that allow you to make a single straddle in the UTG position.

The Argument Against Straddling in Poker

If you’re a serious player, you already know the short, two-letter, answer to this question. No.

The big blind is a bind for the professional player. It’s usually a loss leader. Your money is committed to the pot, regardless of the strength of your hand.

In a professional game, playing solid strategy, you will be lucky to get a free check.

The straddle just adds more money to the pot. The bet is blind so the advantage is unknown.

Your position might be enhanced but you are still playing the same cards – and everyone knows it.

It’s the kind of situation where you might reveal your tell. Bad cards after a bold straddle? Now, try and keep your emotions under control.

Stack Value Reduction

Another thing – $400 in a $2/$4 game is 100 big blinds. If someone is straddling $8 every hand, the big blind has effectively doubled. You now get to play only 50 big blinds. Eek.

The Argument(s) For Straddling

Paying for Position

When you straddle, you pay double the big blind to escape the worst position at the table. You might get dealt junk but you’ll be in the best position to play it.

Weed Out the Wimps

If you’re stuck at a table full of loose players, happy to pay anything to see the flop, a straddle will either scare them away or get them in deeper. It’s a great way to thin the herd.

Exit the Pigeonhole

Worried that your play is too predictable? Don’t let your fellow players get a read. Get random and drop a straddle or two.

It’s a great way to liven up a table. However, if you’re playing with tight players, too many straddles could make them tighter.

Look Cool

If you’re playing with people new to poker, understanding what a straddle is can both impress and intimidate.

It has the feel of a Texas hold’em Easter egg; a secret play to unlock more money pre-flop. As long as they don’t know it’s actually a hopeful play, you could earn some kudos.

Straddle Up, Cowboy – In Conclusion

If there is one thing you learn about poker, when you research poker, it’s that there really are no hard and fast rules.

The live game has many quirks and some card rooms like to play by their own rules.

The straddle is a gambler’s play. It’s a bet on the unknown. Beyond working the table and playing the man, there is no real rhyme or reason behind it. It’s a powerplay.

If position is important, fold those cards. If you want bigger pots, play at a table with higher antes. If you want to liven up the table, just make a few bold raises with half decent cards. At least you know you have half decent cards when you do that

Having said that… What the hell. Let’s get this poker game going. Go wild. Play like a cowboy. Grab that horse and straddle up.

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