A straddle in poker is an optional blind bet made by a player before the cards are dealt. It is usually twice the size of the big blind and allows the straddling player to act last preflop. Straddling can only take place in poker cash games and is not something you can do in poker tournaments. Straddling increases the stakes and creates more aggressive play in the following betting rounds. There are different types of straddles, but the most common one is the "classic" straddle in which the option to place a straddle bet belongs to the player who would otherwise be first to act, which is the seat to the immediate left of the big blind. Straddling can be used to encourage action and get more players involved in the game. However, it can also make the game more unpredictable and lead to bigger losses.