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Beginner’s guide to the poker straddle: What is it and when to do it

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Learning how to straddle in poker is one of the most important things you can learn if you want to jump into those cash games!

You’ve just started your poker journey. You’ve mastered the tournament tables and now it’s time to enter the arena of cash tables. But, what’s that? What is a straddle in poker, and how will it affect your play?

What is a poker straddle?

A poker straddle is a blind raise made before any cards are dealt and can (usually) only be made by the person under-the-gun, otherwise known as the person immediately after the big blind.

A straddle in poker is usually double the big blind. So if the blinds are $1/$2, then a straddle will be $4. A double straddle will then be $8… You get the idea.

This means that if the player under-the-gun straddles for $4, then next player will need to call $4. Once the cards are in play, a straddle counts as a standard blind raise and whoever straddled will be the last to act.

When can I straddle in poker?

When you’re playing poker, you can straddle once you’re under-the-gun, meaning that you act immediately after the big blind.

You can only straddle before the cards are dealt, otherwise it will just be a standard blind bet. The important distinction here is that if you straddle, you still have action if the other players call.

Well, that’s assuming that you’re doing the standard Under The Gun (UTG) straddle…

What types of straddles are there in poker?

If you’re wanting to learn how to straddle in poker, then you’ve got three options. Of course, these will depend on what the poker room supervisor will allow, so make sure that you ask first!

The Under The Gun (UTG) Straddle: This is the standard straddle and the most common one that you’ll come across. This means that if you’re under-the-gun (after the big blind), then you can double the BB and steal the action to act last.

Mississippi Straddle: This removes the limitations of being the under-the-gun if you want to straddle. With a Mississippi Straddle, you can straddle from any location on the table and will usually be done by whoever is on the button.

Uncapped Straddle: This is similar to the UTG Straddle, but there’s no limit to how much you can blinde raise with. This means that if the blinds are $1/$2, you can straddle to $10, or even more! Just don’t expect to make friends at the table if you do this.

What are the advantages of straddling in poker?

First of all, never feel pressured to straddle in poker. It’s the easiest way to lose money fast and drain any reserves you have. It can be easy to become swept up in the excitement, especially if there’s a double straddle, a triple straddle, a quadruple straddle!

That being said, straddling can have some distinct advantages in play. Not only does it let the table know that you’re here and you’re serious, but it can push those marginally risky hands out of the pot before they can land anything.

Straddles also add action to the table and can wake players up, especially if you’ve all been playing for a long time or it’s getting late at night. Just like it can tighten the game, a straddle can also be a great way to lighten the atmosphere and loosen people up, too. It’s a great weapon to have in your arsenal - if you know how to use it well!

Finally, by straddling the big blind, you’re essentially paying to act last. You could want to do this for a few different reasons, but it can be a great strategy if you have something in mind.

What are the disadvantages of straddling in poker?

The most obvious disadvantage of straddling in poker is just the fact that you’re putting in more chips than you need to. You’re committing to a blind raise without seeing your cards, which means that you’re paying extra with no guarantee that you even have a good hand. You might straddle, get a joke of a hand then meekly fold your straddle when people raise you - it’s not a good look.

Quite frankly, the general consensus is: Not straddling is better than losing money from straddling.

Make of that what you will!

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