Antes in Holdem

David Stewart

I have been watching World Poker Tour on Challenge and I notice that in addition to the two blind bets, every player antes up. I don't think I've seen this anywhere else. Is this an American feature of playing poker?

Marq

It often happens towards the end of a large tournament. for the first levels, there are just blinds, then as the levels increase antes are introduced aswell. Changes the dynamic of the game slightly, though with so many chips out there not that much. Lights a fire under people's asses to pick up pots before the flop though, becuase not only do you already have a (albeit smaller) stake in the pot, there's also twice as much in the pot per hand as there would be with blinds alone.

DeVore

Aye, they've been suggested for the last few levels of our tournie and slow the rate of increase of the blinds... dunno what people feel about them. I've never played with them personally so I cant comment...

DeV.