Could someone explain what a straddle bet is?

[WD-40]

I've heard it mentioned a couple of times on T.V. (cash games).

And I've seen it at a live B&M game, but I wasn't involved with the hand so, I'm not sure what they were talking about or what it is or why it's used.

Thanks

[Johny]

It's basically used to build bigger pots in cash games. UTG, before the cards are dealt, puts a blind bet of 2x the bb. So now the minimum bet is that amount. UTG is also last to act preflop.

[supafrey]

Yeah basically the person that's supposed to be first to act can buy the big blind by placing a live bet that is 2x whatever the current blind is BEFORE CARDS ARE SEEN.

The bet is live, so the money counts for play - it's not a fee or anything like that. This purchase allows the player to act like a final blind, so they get to act last preflop.

A straddle (usually) is allowed to be straddled by the next person, and then the next person, and then next person (super straddle, super duper straddle, etc) as long as cards haven't been seen, and 2x whatever the amount was before is put in. So in 1/2, the first straddle is 4, then 8, then 16, then 32, etc.

[Dave B]

Some places allow straddles in NL games from any position for any amount. So in $1/$2 the guy on button can make it $20 to call before seeing his cards. It is a messed up rule, but it does happen.

[supafrey]

Some places allow straddles in NL games from any position for any amount. So in $1/$2 the guy on button can make it $20 to call before seeing his cards. It is a messed up rule, but it does happen.

definitely messed up. No casino would allow this that I've heard of. Maybe some river boats or underground clubs.

I wouldn't play with it =/

[WD-40]

What's the advantage of doing this? Other than building the pot. But say you place a straddle bet, then get two or three callers, then get dealt junk like 2 7 off...

It just seems like a big gamble...maybe thats the point...some people like to gamble.

[Sean_in_NJ]

It just seems like a big gamble...maybe thats the point...some people like to gamble.

Bingo.

[Dave B]

It is a gamble, but it is a way to take people out of what they are comfortable with. If they would normally play a certain range of hands for one bet, would they do it for 2, or 3? Very often the 1st person in will 3 bet, so anyone that wants to play has to play a big pot. W/ the flop, turn and river relatively cheap, you have odds to call w/ longer shots post flop.


Supa-it wasnt a private club or river boat, it was a Vegas card room. Not a major one (I dont recall, TI, Monte Carlo, Luxor or something) but a smaller room looking for an angle to get business.

Also, why wouldnt you like this? If someone is going to donate w/ 2 random cards-that is great....no?

[supafrey]

In general I don't like silly rules. NLHE is so easy. Lets not complicate things.

I know in my home/live game I like to straddle for fun. This definitely gets a shiiiiitload of limpers, so steals preflop become pretty valuable. It also makes me seem like a fun-lover as opposed to the guy that has been steadily taking their cash....

[WD-40]

I don't mean to be a dumbass here, but...

Do the other players at the table have to call the straddle bet before they look at their cards? Or only if they re-straddle.

Everyone else, can look at their hole cards and then decide whether or not to call or raise the original straddle bet? right? lol

[Dave B]

Yes, everyone else can look at their cards before acting.

[Jauron]

Some places allow straddles in NL games from any position for any amount. So in $1/$2 the guy on button can make it $20 to call before seeing his cards. It is a messed up rule, but it does happen.

definitely messed up. No casino would allow this that I've heard of. Maybe some river boats or underground clubs.

I wouldn't play with it =/

Luxor in Las Vegas does or at least did when I played there a few years back. Guy on the button made it $20 to go preflop, I complain we get two different rulings on it final ruling says it is ok I freak out. Combine that with us being 6 handed, having 3 blinds and the BB being $3 in a $100 max game was enough to get me off the table and everyone else left shorty afterwards.

[HalfSugar]

Throwing in a straddle at a low limit game full of tourists is worth it just to see half the table wonder what the hell is going on

Beyond that, it is a good way to build a pot and it also gives you information if you are playing donks because only the stronger hands will call. What makes this especially useful is when you throw in the straddle and get dealt junk or when you call the straddle with junk. If the flop is garbage and you hit it fairly hard (maybe 2 pair or an open ender or something), the pot is already big enough to make any call good for a drawing hand and also any idiot with a high pair is already beaten by your rags but they are fairly unlikely to lay it down if they are stupid. Basically - straddle ftw :D

[raisebot]

It's called a mississippi straddle when you straddle from a position other than UTG. Interestingly enough, it's usually not permitted in lower limit games (1/2 NL, 2/5 NL), but allowed more often in games 5/10 NL & above.

Most Vegas card rooms wont let you restraddle, anything after the first straddle is a "dead" bet.
ex-
1/2 NL
SB $1
BB $2
UTG $4 straddle
UTG +1 makes it $6 or $8, the $6 or $8 is "dead", meaning he can only act again on his hand if someone else raises, thus reopening the betting, letting him respond to that raise.