The Mississippi Straddle is a type of straddle. Contrary to a traditional straddle, which is committed by the player under the gun and, in some cases, subsequent players behind the under the gun. Mississippi straddle: Alice posts $1, Dianne posts $2, Ellen, on the button, posts a Mississippi straddle of $4. Because of the straddle, Alice, the small blind, is now first to act; she folds. Dianne calls the straddle by putting an additional $2 in the pot. Joane calls the straddle. Try our 'normal difficulty' Texas Holdem free poker game. It's single player, so you don't have to worry about looking the fool in front of your friends and family-and it's difficulty is just right for novice poker players! Master the odds of real Texas Holdem by playing this free poker Texas Holdem game.

If you’ve ever played a Texas Holdem cash game, you probably know that there are several variations. We’ve spoken about bounty before, however today we’re going to be discussing two other betting practices that you can try. Note – neither of these are legal in tournament play, and are generally considered bad plays.

Both these options are available during the blind phases of play, which means, before the cards are dealt and must be declared when acting.

Traditional Straddle:

Straddling are optional bets placed during this period. A traditional straddle is only available for the player to the immediate left of the big blind, basically the first player to act. That player has the option to call a straddle bet, which would require them to pay double the big blind. As mentioned, this bet is done prior to the cards being dealt to the players. This now forces all subsequent players to pay the new minimum of that round, which is double the big blind.

To explain, let’s say the game is $1/$2, no limit. Before the cards are dealt, the two players paying the blinds would put their respective bets, in other words, from right to left, it would be:

1. Seat 1 player – Button
2. Seat 2 player – Small Blind ($1)
3. Seat 3 player – Big Blind ($2)
4. Seat 4 player – Straddle player 1 ($4+)
5. Seat 5 player – Straddler 2 ($8+)
6. Seat 6 player – Straddler 3 ($16+)
7. Seat 7 player – first to act.

As the above list suggests, there can be more than one straddle, but it can only exist if the next player immediately after the straddler continues the bet, and as mentioned, the bet needs to be double or more the previous bet. Also, please note, if you’re straddle betting, that means the next person in that chain will be the first to act once the cards are dealt, meaning, seat 1 had the button, and as per the example above, then seat 7 would be the first to act, once cards are dealt with a cost of $16+ to call (depending on what the last straddle bet was), unlike a traditional game, where seat 4 would be the first to act, with $2 to call.

Again, per standard rules, the round of betting would occur until all bets are made, and then the flop would be dealt.

Mississippi Straddle:

This optional bet is available to any player that is not under the gun or on the blinds. In other words, this is available for any player not the small or the big blind, and if it’s done by the player under the gun (seat 3), then it’s just a traditional straddle.

A Mississippi, as mentioned, can be done by any player other than those mentioned above, and can be done by the player on the dealer button. Minimum bet would have to be double the big blind, and as per the traditional straddle, subsequent players can straddle on top of the mississippi player, but they would have to be immediately after the last straddler. You cannot skip players to continue a straddle streak – this goes with both variations.

Also, per the traditional straddle, the player to the left of the last straddle gets to go first, once all the cards are dealt. It would look something like this:

Texas Holdem Mississippi Straddle Game

1. Seat 1 player – Button
2. Seat 2 player – Small Blind ($1)
3. Seat 3 player – Big Blind ($2)
4. Seat 4 player – under the gun
5. Seat 5 player
6. Seat 6 player – Mississippi Straddler 1 ($4+)
7. Seat 7 player – Straddler 2 ($8+)
8. Seat 8 – First to act.

The caller in seat 8 would have to call with whatever the last bet was, in this case $8 or raise the bet by doubling it.

Can you Straddle after 3rd street?

Yes, you can, but that would require declaring that you’re betting blind, and would still require that player to bet at least the minimum bet, which would be the big blind. Again, if you choose to do this, all subsequent straddlers have to be to the immediate player after the last straddler and the bet needs to be doubled the last. The first to act once the community card is dealt would be the player that ended the straddling streak.

What’s the benefit of straddling?

If you’re at a table of tight players, straddling scares players out of hands faster, since the requirement to stay in would be double the big blind, to start. It’s not good in situations where everyone is playing fast and loose, since there’s a likely chance that folks will buy in, whatever the cost, just to play.

Straddling is generally a poor playing practice that’s generally used to spice up the game, and is only beneficial in rare situations, and only practical if you’re ahead at the table as a way to bully players.

If you do choose to play it that way, watch your competition first to see if it’s worth throwing bets blindly into the pot, otherwise you’re just giving it away.

Getting to grips with the terminology is all part of poker’s fascination. It also goes hand in hand with good tactical awareness and a sound success strategy.

While Straddling or “Playing a straddle” is often regarded as a negative in terms of profit over risk it should not be automatically dismissed. Let’s understand exactly what it is and two scenarios where it’s certainly worth a punt.

What is a straddle in Poker?

A player can initiate this play in any poker game and it is a reasonably regular occurrence for those involved in Texas hold’em.

When a player opts to straddle they are putting double the big blind (BB) amount before cards are dealt. It is usually the player to the left of the BB that makes this play. Once it is carried out, all others following players must either call or raise the bet placed.

A ‘live’ straddle acts like the BB

Good poker etiquette requires dealers to announce when a live straddle is ‘in play’. When “live” it acts like the BB. If none of the players raise, it is then down to the player straddling to decide whether to raise. This can only be done when it is their turn to play.

Texas Holdem Mississippi Straddle Rules

In the event, the dealer does not make the announcement this is termed as a dark raise. If this is the case the player straddling has no option in the event all other players simply call.

3 common types of straddle:

If you intend to make straddling a part of your success strategy it is vital that you check the house rules. This is because not all poker rooms allow it, some do but specify which position the play can be made from, and the majority of online rooms do not allow it. Un-capped straddles for $1/$2 and $2/$5 are quite rare.

3 common types of the play you will come across:

Texas Holdem Mississippi Straddle Position

1. Under The Gun (UTG) Straddle: This is the classic play. It is where the UTG player lays double the BB BEFORE cards are dealt. They then act as the last preflop.
2. Mississippi Straddle: This is easier to play than spell! It allows any player from any position the opportunity to straddle first. When the option is taken up they can straddle any amount preflop. By making this play they then have the advantage of acting last before the flop (assuming another player does not re-straddle, but this is less common). It is more often than not that the button makes this play. As with the UTG play, this option must be taken up BEFORE cards are dealt.
3. Un-capped Straddle: As the term suggests, this removes the “double the BB limit” on the size of stake placed.

Should you make this play in Texas hold‘em?

While not all poker tacticians will agree, the general advice has to be No. This is because the only real advantage of straddling is the fact that during the first round of betting you have the advantage of acting last.

However, you have made a blind and if another player raises you will need a lucky hand in order to call. Taking everything into account this strategy usually costs you money.

Two exceptions:

Texas Holdem Mississippi Straddle Line

1. Lower stake games not to your liking: If you are involved in a hold’em game with lower stakes than you like, straddling can solve your issue because you can make the play from the start. It is seen as a good tactic if you feel your strategy will take other players out of their comfort zone. i.e. the majority will fold. In this situation, the play can work in your favor.
2. One to strongly consider: When you are in the button position in a game allowing a Mississippi Straddle you have a huge advantage. This high ground is gained because you have the last position of that particular round. Such a play often encourages the BB to fold if they have poor cards.

Don’t dismiss straddling!

As a poker player, you should use straddling with caution and common sense. Do not dismiss it from your armory, but do use it wisely.

Watch Paul Phua straddling like a boss!

During the last Triton Poker Super High Roller Series 2018 in Jeju, South Korea, Tom Dwan and Paul Phua went head to head for a huge cash game pot.

After a long period of hesitation, Tom shoved ALL-IN with AQ against Paul Phua, who straddled. Unfortunately for him, Paul was holding the Pocket Aces!