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Summary

- The definition of poker straddle is an optional third blind bet that can be made by any player at the table before hands are dealt.
- The purpose of a straddle in poker is to gain an advantageous position via a blind bet.
- There are many different types of poker straddle, including the Under-the-Gun Straddle, Mississippi Straddle and Un-Capped Straddle.

What is the Purpose of Straddle in Poker?

The meaning of poker straddle is to place an optional third blind bet that’s double the value of the big blind. This has a couple of impacts on the first round of play:

- The player who placed the poker straddle bet goes last in the ensuing round of betting.
- All other players now have to match the doubled big blind to play.
- A straddle bet in poker lets you both act first and last before the flop.

The origins of the bet are unknown, but it has received a mixed reception across the game.
In most poker tournaments, you’re not allowed to straddle, while live poker games in Nevada and Atlantic City tend to permit the bet in the face of many other states outlawing the practice.

Now, while the definition of the poker straddle is easy enough to grasp, players have tinkered with the formula of the straddle to such an extent that there are several types of straddle.
The big three types of poker straddling are the Under-the-Gun (UTG) Straddle, Mississippi Straddle and Un-Capped Straddle.

How Does the Poker Straddle Bet Work?

The first question for most players is, can anyone straddle in poker? While there are many opportunities to straddle in poker, you need to be at the right kind of table and playing flop variants, generally speaking.
Cash games with fixed big blind and small blind structures are needed for a straddle bet. As for variants, this, and the need for a flop, boils down the chance to play a poker straddle bet down to games of Texas Hold’em and Omaha.

Can Anyone Straddle in Poker?

With the most common form of poker straddle, the choice comes down to the player who is under the gun. This is the primary poker straddle position as they’re sitting to the left of the big blind and can alter the proceedings the most.

Should the under-the-gun player opt to make a straddle bet, which would be a UTG Straddle by definition, they would not only have made the first action of the round, but they’d also get to go last.
With a poker straddle bet, that player then goes last and has already doubled the cost limp into the game, with a straddle bet needing to be twice that of the big blind.
After the flop, the status quo of the table returns to normal. That UTG player, in this example, will be the first to act after the flop, with straddle privileges only purchased for the pre-flop action.

Pros and Cons of the Poker Straddle

If you’re in a poker straddle position and considering the bet, the pros are:

- Immediately double the action and even break the cap of no-limit hold’em games.
- Throw a spanner in the works of anyone trying to get a read on you by going in blind.
- Get a positional advantage by acting last pre-flop, which can prove to be very informative.

To juxtapose the pros of the poker straddle bet, here are the cons that explain why it’s relatively uncommon:

- Poker straddle bets automatically up the ante at the table, which can make others more unpredictable and aggressive.
- You’re going in with what would likely be double the risk if your hand is less than optimal.
- Some would see the cost of the poker straddle as not being worth it for a one-round positional advantage.

Strategies for the Poker Straddle Bet

While there are weightier cons than pros to placing a straddle bet, there are plenty of strategic situations in which you should capitalise on the straddle position poker games may offer you.
A big way to leverage a straddle is if you want to both offer the perception of being an overly aggressive player and if the other players are being rather tight with their chips and play.
In both instances, you can coax the other players into underestimating your plays and get them to come out of their shells a bit more. Still, your success in these angles will depend on the hand you’re dealt.
Overall, though, the straddle is an unnecessarily big risk. So, it’s best to save it for deep stack play and if you’ve got a hefty bankroll that can handle the sudden escalation if it goes deep into the round.

What is the Under-the-Gun (UTG) Straddle in Poker?

The UTG Straddle in poker is the classic straddle. You’re sitting to the left of the big blind and opt to up the round to double that of the big blind.
From this poker straddle position, you get the maximum leverage to flip the course of the first round of betting, taking action first and making your call last.

What is the Mississippi Straddle in Poker?

In the case of a Mississippi Straddle, anyone at the table not paying a blind or under the gun can call that they’ll straddle and then double up on the big blind.
However, in these instances, others can re-straddle. As long as it’s done before the deal, the re-straddle would then double the bet of the first poker straddle bet. The first to go will be whoever’s to the left of the last straddle.

What is the Un-Capped Straddle in Poker?

An Un-Capped Straddle is exactly that: un-capped. Rather than the straddle bet being double the big blind, it can be as high as the player wants it to be.

How to Counter the Poker Straddle

The most straightforward way to counter a poker straddle bet is to just play the cards you’re dealt. The straddler doesn't have a clue what they’ll be dealt with those extra chips on the table, so they are at a double disadvantage, in a way.

With the bet already high, plenty of others will fold out of the gate, but if you have a strong hand, it can be worth just limping (betting the minimum needed) to capitalise on the straddler’s inflated confidence, pouncing later in the hand.

Naturally, you don’t always get a great hand. So, you should play a little tighter than usual to counter poker straddles, but when you’re confident, size according to the straddle bet rather than the big blind.

Variations and How House Rules Impact the Poker Straddle

Not only does the legality of the straddle differ between house rules, but the poker straddle definition can differ as well. In some places, only the UTG Straddle is considered to be a legal straddle, while elsewhere, the poker straddle meaning can expand to the more open Mississippi Straddle.

How Does the Poker Straddle Vary?

As noted, if allowed at all, the type of poker straddle will vary. The most commonly permitted type of poker straddle bet is the Under-the-Gun Straddle, while the Un-Capped Straddle is the rarest kind of those discussed.

What House Rules Can Impact the Poker Straddle Strategy?

Should the house allow a poker straddle bet, the size of the increase on the big blind and which player is in the correct poker straddle position will be the main rules.
In all instances, though, you’ll need to make your poker straddle bet before the cards are dealt and, usually, will need to inform all others at the table – or at least the dealer – that you’re going to straddle.

What are the Advanced Poker Straddle Tactics for Experienced Players?

Regardless of your poker straddle position, the play is generally considered to be disadvantageous.
So, the ideal way to flex the straddle is to capitalise on certain table dynamics, such as:

Tight Tables: If you’ve seen even great hands conclude with little more than a few big blinds going to the winner, up the ante and draw them out by forcing higher stakes from the outset with a poker straddle.
Tables that See the Flop: At some tables, you’ll see a lot of players happy to bet pre-flop to see the first cards out, but then fold in the first round of betting if they’ve not got strong hands. These are tables to draw from with a poker straddle bet to make the most of these habits.

An unconventional application of the poker straddle bet would be to try to dictate the turn as the player with the majority of chips.
With more control, you could essentially scare the others into giving up their blinds, and for those who do play, you could shake them down with a larger raise. It’s even riskier than the straddle, but could work at the right table.
The purpose of a straddle in poker is to pay up for what is a relatively slight advantage. Overall, it’s usually best to avoid a straddle, but in some situations, you can certainly leverage it to get the better of your opponents.