What is a Poker Straddle?

The poker straddle is one of the oldest tricks in the book. Still don’t know how to do it properly?

Keep reading our guide and you’ll be playing like a professional in no time!

What is a Straddle in Poker?

You probably know how to straddle a chair, or a motorcycle even. But what does straddle mean in poker?

A straddle in poker is a pre-flop option where players can choose to place a bet matching the big blind, thus effectively making the first post of the betting round after that a raise. This is usually done in no-limit hold’em when a player in a late position wants to play a large pot without being forced to commit.

A poker straddle can either be voluntary or mandatory.

Voluntary poker straddles are those where the player has the option to straddle or not. This is the most common type of straddle and gives the player more control over the game.

Mandatory poker straddles are those where the player is forced to straddle, regardless of whether they want to or not. This type of straddle is less common but can be useful in specific situations.

Types of Poker Straddles

Now let’s take a look at a few different types of poker straddles.

Button Straddle

The button is a poker straddle that is made by the player sitting in the button position. This is the player who is in control of the action and can therefore straddle whenever they want.

Mississippi Straddle

The Mississippi straddle can be made by the player sitting in the small blind position. This is the player who is forced to act first and therefore has the opportunity to straddle before anyone else has a chance to act.

UTG Straddle

A UTG straddle is a poker straddle bet that is made by the player sitting in the Under the Gun position. This is the player who is first to act and has the opportunity to straddle before anyone else has a chance to act.

Un-Capped Straddle

The un-capped straddle technique can be made by players sitting in any position. These are players who are not specifically limited to making a straddle only from the button or small blind position.

Sleeper Straddle

Similar to the previous type, the sleeper poker straddle is made by the player sitting in any position, but only after everyone else has folded. This is the player who is not limited to making a straddle only from the button or small blind position.

Pros and Cons of Straddling

Why straddle in poker? There are pros and cons to using poker straddles, which is why it’s important to understand when and how to use them. Let’s go over the reasons why you should or shouldn’t straddle in poker.

Pros of Poker Straddles

Opportunity to Build a Bigger Pot

A poker straddle provides players with the opportunity to build a bigger pot. Not only do you get to increase the size of the pot by at least doubling it, but you also put your opponents at a disadvantage. This can be especially useful if you’re playing against weaker opponents.

Pot Odds

If you’re forced to Straddle, your pot odds will be much better than if you had voluntarily straddled.

No Decision Making

When you’re playing with a mandatory poker straddle, you don’t have to make the decision of whether or not to straddle. This can be helpful if you’re not sure what to do or if you want to save your decision for later in the hand.

Cons of Poker Straddles

Increased Blind

By straddling, you are putting more money in the pot and raising the stakes. This can be a disadvantage if you’re not confident in your hand.

Bluffing Opportunities Decreased

Since a straddle is considered a raise, it’s much harder to bluff after straddling.

Finishing Thoughts

The poker straddle can definitely come in handy if you know how to use it at your disposal. If you still consider yourself a newbie, you might want to spend a bit more time practicing how to straddle before you start playing with the big boys!