Poker glossary

Ante In Poker Tournaments

Learn what an ante is and why antes make stealing blinds and open shoving more valuable in tournaments.

Definition

An ante is a forced contribution added before the hand begins, often paid by every player or through a big blind ante.

Why it matters

Antes put more dead money in the pot. That makes successful steals and shoves more valuable because there is more to win uncontested.

Example spot

A 10BB button shove is usually more attractive with antes in play than in a no-ante level.

Open this spot in the calculator

Common mistake

Using the same opening and shoving ranges in ante and no-ante levels.

Related terms

Keep building the concept map

Fold equity

Fold equity is the value you gain when opponents fold and you win the pot without needing to show down the best hand.

Open shove

An open shove is moving all-in as the first voluntary action before the flop.

Effective stack

The effective stack is the smallest stack involved in a hand. It is the most either player can win or lose against each other.

FAQ

Tournament spot questions

Does an ante make you play looser?

Often yes, especially first in from late position, because the pot is larger before anyone voluntarily enters.

What is a big blind ante?

A big blind ante is an ante format where the big blind posts the ante for the table.