A straddle is a 2bb blind preflop bet and can generate a lot of action in poker. Usually, players straddle only in live poker and on a particular position - UTG. Since the player does not see his hand when he announces the straddle, usually the straddle is an action with negative expected value. Loose and aggressive players are most likely to put on straddles - professional live players rarely straddle. You can take this into account if, for the first time, you sit down with a player who puts the straddle. But, be sure to adjust your poker strategy once you gain additional clues about how this opponent plays.