Straddle – An optional extra blind, usually posted by the player to the left of the big blind, which, if it is live, gives that player the right to last action before the flop.
Straddle bets are commonly employed in poker games which use blinds. Usually they are optional bets, but some games may require a forced straddle. In most cases, the straddle will be live, which means the player who posted it will have last action before the flop. A dead straddle is similar to a blind raise, except that it does not count toward the maximum number of allowable bets and raises on the preflop betting round.
House rules govern the use of straddles. Card clubs may allow them, disallow them, or restrict how they are used. Most commonly, straddles are only allowed to be posted to the immediate left of the big blind, for exactly double the amount of the big blind. This type of straddle is usually optional, and posted as a “live straddle,” giving it last action before the flop. Less commonly, house rules may allow a straddle to be posted form any position. A straddle which is posted on the button is called a “Mississippi Straddle.”