Straddle bet
Straddle bets are a way of buying the last action position before the cards are dealt. Once the small and big blinds have been put in the pot, any player may choose to place a straddle bet who’s size varies depending on the rules that are followed for poker in the state or house.
The last action, in any round of poker, is the player at the big blind position however, placing the straddle bet is a way of buying that privilege from the big blind player and thus, the player who places the straddle bet becomes the last action player, however, only in cash games. Tournaments do not allow players to place straddle bets and there is also a restriction on straddle bets based on the state gaming laws. For e.g. Las Vegas casinos and card rooms allow straddle bets whereas Atlantic City card rooms and casinos do not.
There are many variations of straddle bets and depending on the rules of poker being applied, any one of these may be applicable at any given point of time.
* Live Straddle: The player under the gun may place a straddle bet that is the size of a normal bet, over the big blind value. Therefore, if the stakes are $4/$8, then the value of the straddle bet is $16. In the case of the live straddle bet, the bet being placed becomes the new big blind and therefore, becomes the normal opening bet for all subsequent players. A subsequent player may re-straddle the live straddle by placing a bet that is the value of the live straddle plus the normal betting amount. Taking the earlier example, a re-straddle would mean $32 for a normal bet.
* Mississippi Straddle: The Mississippi straddle bet runs on the same principle as a live straddle bet however the major difference lies in who can make the straddle bet. Unlike in the case of the live straddle bet, where only the player under the gun can make the bet, a Mississippi straddle rule allows any player on the table to make the straddle bet. Once a player makes the Mississippi straddle bet, the normal sequence of play begins from the immediate left of the player who made that bet. Re-straddle options are the same as in the case of the live straddle.
Forrige begrep: Stop and go, Neste begrep: Straight flush
