Table and rules
Straddle in poker
Definition
An optional extra blind bet posted before the deal, usually double the big blind, which raises the stakes of the hand.
A straddle is common in live cash games. The player under the gun posts it voluntarily, becomes the last to act before the flop, and the minimum raise grows because the straddle is now the biggest bet.
Straddles make pots bigger and stacks shallower relative to the blinds. Some games use a button straddle, where the player on the button posts it and acts last.
Example
At 1/2 with a $4 straddle from under the gun, the first player to act has to put in $4 to play.
Related terms
- Big blind (BB)The larger forced bet, posted by the second player to the left of the button; it sets the minimum bet of the first round.
- Under the gun (UTG)The first player to act before the flop, seated directly left of the big blind; the earliest and toughest position.
- Cash gameA poker game played with real money chips that you can buy and leave with at any time, with fixed blinds.