Part I: Games & Gaming · Card Games — Poker & Variants

Ante

Poker (also Blackjack)

A small forced bet that all players must post before each hand in many poker variants, including Caribbean Stud, Three Card Poker, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em. The ante establishes initial pot value and ensures action. In casino poker games, the ante is mandatory and distinct from blinds, which are posted by specific positions.

In practice

In some games (e.g., Ultimate Texas Hold’em), players may make a larger “blind” bet in addition to the ante. The ante is typically smaller than the minimum bet and does not count toward betting limits.

One entry from the Casino Industry Glossary — 1,157 terms written for surveillance, compliance and operations professionals rather than for players. Definitions describe industry usage; where a term carries a regulatory meaning, verify against the instrument that governs your jurisdiction.