Several weeks ago, I played low limit for the first time. At the table, there was one player who was said to be “straddling the bet” by which actually appeared to me as a blind raise by the player to the left of the BB.

I don’t totally understand what “straddling the bet” means. Can you please explain it to me?

Thanks!

Doeddler
Doeddler,

“Straddling the bet” means that the player to the left of the big blind is putting in a blind raise equal to twice the big blind. This is done to make more action in a pot. Honestly, in a low limit game, this is a little silly, but it is quite common in higher stakes games.

You can think of it as a blind raise if you wish. It is really the same thing.