Straddle
A voluntary blind bet, usually twice the big blind, posted before the cards are dealt by the player left of the big blind. It buys the right to act last pre-flop and makes the game bigger.
Related terms
Full glossaryFrequently asked questions
What is a straddle in poker?
A voluntary blind bet made before the cards are dealt, usually by the player to the left of the big blind and usually for double the big blind. It raises the stake for the whole hand.
Does the straddler get to act last pre-flop?
Yes. Because the straddle is a live bet, the action passes around the table and returns to them, so they have the last decision before the flop. From the flop onwards they act in their normal early position, so the advantage lasts one street only.
What is a Mississippi straddle?
A straddle posted from a seat other than under the gun, most often the button. It is a stronger play than the standard straddle because the button already has position for the entire hand. Whether it is permitted, and how it changes the order of action, depends on the house rules.
Is straddling a good idea?
Usually not, on its own terms. It commits money with no information from the worst seat at the table, and the larger pot means more rake paid. The defensible reasons are strategic rather than about the hand: loosening a tight table, or raising the effective stake in a game where the stated stakes are too small for the stacks.