While most bets fall completely
under the control of players, there are few others that are mandatory and set
by the casino. These forced bets are put up before the deal in a game—particularly
online poker—is
finalized. In brick-and-mortar casinos, these stakes are the ANTE bet and the
BLIND bet. In online casinos, however, only the former is required.
Basically, ante bets function as
buffer to make sure the player has some kind of skin in the game, and that he
or she may not fold instantly when dealt with not-so-agreeable cards. Moreover,
this amount does not count toward player’s bet on the first round of betting.
Hence, it serves more like an entry fee rather than a bet.
In most cases, an Ante bet is
either a single unit (one-value) or some other small amount. Bets equivalent to
half or a quarter of the minimum bet is also common. Antes ensure that players
receive an incentive, however small, to play the hand rather than toss it in
when the opening bet reaches them.
Antes serve as one of the pillars
in draw poker and stud poker as they provide the game’s initial seed. They are
instrumental in allowing players to play more loosely by lowering the cost of ‘calling’
relative to the current pot size, offering better odds for the pot. With this
bet, more players stay in the hand, which increases pot size and makes for more
exciting play.
To learn more about e-games, wagering options, and
the online casino industry in general, visit this blog by 12BET.
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