Ante
A mandatory bet required from all players before a hand begins, primarily used in certain variants of poker.
An Ante is a forced contribution that each player must put into the pot before the dealing of cards. Unlike blinds, which are typically posted by only two players, an ante is paid by everyone at the table.
Its purpose is to ensure there is always a “cost” to playing each hand, which encourages action and prevents players from folding endlessly without penalty. It’s most commonly found in the later stages of poker tournaments and in certain cash game variants like Stud poker.
Formulas and examples
Ante vs. Blind:<br>- Ante: Paid by all players before the hand.<br>- Blind: Paid by 1-2 players in rotation.