Britannica Sources used in this answer

What is an ante in poker?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

In the context of poker, an ante is a mandatory contribution to the pot that each player may be required to make before the cards are dealt.1

This stake serves to build the pot before the betting intervals begin. While the term is specifically defined as a poker stake, it is also used more broadly to describe costs, risks, or the act of paying into a pool.23