Ante
Rules Level · Beginner Aliases: antes, big blind ante, forced contribution
An ante is a forced chip contribution made before each hand, by every player or by the big blind.
What is Ante
An ante is a mandatory contribution collected before the cards are dealt. In the traditional form every player posts a small amount; with a big blind ante, the big blind posts one payment on behalf of the table. It exists alongside the blinds and inflates the pot before any voluntary action. Because it raises the starting pot, both stealing and defending get a better immediate price, which is why ranges from a no-ante structure cannot be carried straight into the ante stages of a tournament. The exact amount and who posts it follow the event or table rules — an ante is not simply an extra big blind.
On the felt
TableTournaments
PositionAll positions / BB
FlopBefore the deal
ActionCollect the table ante or big blind ante before dealing
Example
At 500/1,000 with a 1,000 big blind ante, the big blind posts 1,000 as the blind plus 1,000 as the ante before preflop action begins, so the starting pot is larger than in a game with blinds alone.
Common mistakes
- Thinking only players who enter the pot post an ante. It is collected under the rules before any voluntary action.
- Treating a big blind ante as that player's own extra bet. It is an ante posted on behalf of the whole table.
Related terms
Blind
A blind is a forced bet posted before cards are dealt, by a designated position, to start the action.
Buy-in
A buy-in is the amount paid to join a game or tournament in exchange for starting chips.
Heads Up
Heads up means only two players remain, either at the table or in the pot.
Rake
Rake is the fee a card room takes from the pot or from tournament entries to run the game.
Showdown
A showdown is when the remaining players reveal their cards after the last bet to compare their best five.
All-in
Going all-in means putting every remaining chip you have into the pot.