A Straddle in Poker is a voluntary bet often made by the person immediately to the left of the big blind. The purpose of straddle betting is to create more action, which means larger pots. Let’s find out with the experts at W88 Casino online why you should choose to play Straddle poker strategy action in a game.
What is a Straddle in Poker?
Players can start to stall in any poker hand and this is a fairly common game for Texas Hold’em players. When a player chooses to straddle poker, they will bet twice the amount of the big blind (BB) before dealing. The player to the left of the BB is usually the player who makes this play. Once done, all other players following must either call or increase the bet they placed.
Let’s look at examples to see how the poker straddle strategy would play out in a game of poker.
In this example, the small blind ($1) and big blind ($3) place blind bets as usual. Before the cards are dealt, the player immediately to the left of the big blind, also known as under-the-gun, now has the option to bet the blind at least twice the big blind, which is at least $6, all before the cards are dealt.
The player who placed the straddle poker now acts as the big blind for all pre-flop action. That is, the player to the left of the person who placed the straddle bet can now either fold, go for $6, or raise the bet as usual. The pre-flop action now ends for the person who placed the straddle bet, where they can check, raise their bet, or fold to make a bigger bet.
After the cards are flipped, all action will continue as normal, with all positions working as normal.
Straddle is a required or voluntary action when playing poker
Straddles poker are usually voluntary bets. In some casinos and card rooms, there are games that have a mandatory straddle rule.
For example, a poker game has stakes of $1/$2/$5. The $5 number indicates that the game is a mandatory straddle and the size of the straddle.
Voluntary straddles may continue after the initial straddle bet. The player to the left of the person who bet $6, can now choose a straddle bet of $12 (or more, as long as it is at least double the previous straddle bet). The player to the left of the better $12 bettor can now bet $24.
Straddle rules vary from room to room, ranging from allowing straddles in the wrong position to not allowing straddles. Ask the dealer or floor person about the straddle rules before taking your seat, so you know what to expect before playing your first poker game.
The 3 most common Straddle styles in Poker
Under The Gun (UTG) Straddle
This is the classic way to straddle poker. This is a way of playing where the UTG player doubles the big blind before dealing the cards.
Mississippi Straddle
It allows any player in any position a chance to straddle poker first. When the option is exercised, they can straddle any amount before the hand is turned over. By making this play, they have the advantage of being the last to act before turning over (assuming the other player doesn’t straddle again).
Like UTG Straddle, this option must be exercised before the dealer deals the cards.
No Limit Straddle Strategy
As the term suggests, this strategy removes the “double big blind limit” on the size of the bet placed.
Conclusion
While not all poker strategists agree, the general advice from W88 Casino online experts is not to straddle poker. The reason is because the only real advantage of straddling is that in the first betting round, you have the advantage of being the last to act.
However, you’ve made a blind bet and if another player raises their bet, you’ll need a lucky hand to follow. All things considered, stalling often costs your bet.
Related: String bet in Poker
