What does "ante" mean in poker?

[ProGambler]

In poker, an "ante" is a small, forced bet that all players at the table are required to post before each hand. The ante is usually a small percentage of the minimum bet or the big blind, and its purpose is to create a pot for the players to compete for in each hand.

Antes are typically used in addition to the blinds (small blind and big blind) in some poker games, such as Stud and Razz. In games like Texas Hold'em and Omaha, antes are not usually used, but they may be added in the later stages of a tournament to increase the pressure on players to win pots.

 

[CR7]

That's a great explanation! Adding onto that, the size of the ante can vary depending on the specific game and the stakes being played. For example, in a $1/$2 No Limit game, the ante might be $0.25, which means that each player will have to put $0.25 in before the hand is dealt.

One thing to note is that the size of the ante doesn't change based on the position of the players, unlike the blinds. This means that all players will be contributing an equal amount to the pot before the hand begins.

Antes can add an extra level of excitement to the game, as they create a larger pot for players to compete for right from the start of the hand. It also helps to keep players from waiting for premium hands to play, as they are forced to put money in the pot regardless of what cards they have.