In Poker... What is straddle?

Definition: When a player decides or says he is going to 'straddle' in a poker game, he is putting in twice the big blind before the cards are dealt. Usually, it is the player to the left of the big blind who straddles. It is basically a raise in the dark, and all players following must now call or raise the amount of the straddle bet.

Before the hand is dealt, the player who is under the gun can put up a "live straddle" bet. The amount is equivalent to a raise, so if you are playing $3/$6, you would put up $6.

Betting begins with the player to the left of the straddler. It's basically a "blind raise", except that the player will have the option to re-raise the bet when it's his turn.

It is usually frowned upon, and will not make you popular. It also does not usually make you any money.

I have straddled twice in my life and I won both hands, so I will never do it again.