What is ante in poker?

[Potuse]

In poker, an ante is a small forced bet that all players are required to make before a hand begins. The ante is typically a fraction of the minimum bet for the hand, and its purpose is to create action and increase the pot size before the cards are dealt.

Antes are most commonly used in tournament play, and less frequently in cash games. In contrast to blinds, antes are not posted by specific players, but rather by all players at the table. Once all players have posted their antes, the dealer will deal the cards and the first round of betting begins.

 

[Lazza]

An ante's main objective is to increase gaming activity. Players are discouraged from waiting for premium hands to enter the game by having to contribute money to the pot before the hand even starts. Because players are encouraged to play more hands, this results in a more lively and interesting environment.