What Is a Straddle?
A straddle in poker is a voluntary blind bet made before the cards are dealt. It’s usually double the big blind and gives the player who posts it the right to act last before the flop. Think of it as a third blind that temporarily shifts the betting order. The straddle is most common in live cash games. When a player straddles, the hand’s blind structure changes for that round. For example: in a $1/$2 game, a straddle of $4 means the hand effectively becomes a $1/$2/$4 hand.

When the Straddle Must Be Posted
A straddle must be placed before any cards are dealt. Some casinos require you to announce the straddle verbally. The dealer and the table must know you’re straddling before the deal begins.

Straddle Size and Bet Structure
In most games, the standard straddle is twice the big blind, though some no-limit games allow uncapped straddles that can be any amount up to all-in. Once posted, the straddle acts as the live bet, meaning players must call, raise or fold based on that new amount. A straddle is not considered a raise.

Position and Opportunity
The player who straddles is usually the one under the gun (UTG), meaning the first seat to the left of the big blind. That player gets the last preflop action after everyone else has acted, creating a positional advantage before the flop. However, once the flop is dealt, the straddler becomes the first to act, which often cancels out that initial edge.

Variants of Straddles

• Under-the-Gun Straddle
  This is the classic version found in most casinos. The UTG player places the straddle before the deal, and the action begins to the left of that player. The straddler then acts last before the flop. It’s simple, popular and widely accepted.
• Mississippi Straddle
  The Mississippi Straddle allows any player, not just the one UTG, to post a straddle before seeing cards.
• Button Straddle
  In a button straddle, the player on the dealer button posts the straddle. This setup gives that player last action before and after the flop.