The PokerGO Tour announced a change for their next tournament that should excite many cash-game regulars. The tour’s social media post revealed that event no. 4 of the 2026 PokerGO Cup, a $5,300 buy-in no-limit hold’em affair running inside the PokerGO Studio, will allow under-the-gun straddles during the first four levels of play.
Per player request, Friday’s @PokerGO Cup Event #4: $5,300 Single-Day NL Hold’em will allow under-the-gun straddles for the first four levels.
⌚️ 12 p.m. PT start inside the PokerGO Studio
💸 $5,300 buy-in
😍 $200 rake discount for on-time registration🚨 Straddles allowed! 🚨…
— PGT (@PokerGOTour) March 6, 2026
For those who aren’t familiar, a live straddle is a blind bet made by the player to the left of the big blind player before the cards are dealt. The straddle is twice the size of the big blind. The player who straddled acts last preflop. They have the option to reopen the betting if action returns to them unraised, or can check and see a flop.
Straddles can help encourage action and are sometimes allowed from other positions at the table, including the button. In this event, though, only the UTG player on a given hand will have the option to straddle.
Reigning Card Player Player of the Year award winner Jesse Lonis took to Twitter/X to share his excitement. His comments prompted a response from ARIA Poker’s official account. The venue was apparently the first to introduce the big blind ante, which has since become the industry standard.
Straight from the place that invented the Big Blind Ante, will early level straddles be the next big tournament poker craze? 🤔
Love this partnership with @PokerGO where we always get to try new and exciting things! https://t.co/s2tvhqgVIk
— ARIA Poker (@ARIAPoker) March 6, 2026
Positive feedback after this apparent trial run of tournament straddles could result in further adoption by the PGT and beyond.
