What is a strattle bet?

Answer 1

I assume you mean, "straddle bet". If so, in Poker, a straddle refers to a bet made by the player seated two spots to the left of the dealer button. [Or directly left of the "big blind".] This bet is made before anyone receives their cards, and is often twice the size of the big blind. The purpose of this bet is that the bettor who made the straddle is now the last to act for that round of betting, thereby giving him better position over the other players. [Especially in variations of Hold'Em, where position is considered one of the most important aspects of the game.]

It should be noted that not every casino or card room allows a straddle; in fact, in some casinos, a straddle is simply a bet that a player has blind, that is, without cards. It is possible the casino will NOT allow him to act last that round, therefore negating the positional advantage of a straddle.

Also of note, some casinos allow for infinite straddles, and many allows for three straddles; for example, in a $1/$2 of No Limit Hold'Em, the small blind pays $1, the big blind pays $2, the straddle pays $4, and the double-straddle pays $8. In a casino that allows multiple straddles, the double-straddle is now the last to act in that round of betting.

Straddles are common in limit-hold'em games and are used by players who are better [Or who believe that are better.] post-flop players. Straddles are effective in LHE to build the potsize, and to discourage "limping", or, having many callers with many varied hands. [Thereby decreasing an individual's chance of winning.]