Blinds and antes are obligatory wagers. Both are generated prior to the card distribution. Nonetheless, if just two players (seated to the left of the dealer) create blinds, every player must make an ante. It is more appropriate to see the ante as a payment for playing the game and a contribution to the pot. The ante is typically equal to one-tenth of the value of the huge blind.
The primary purpose of the ante is to prevent artificial prolongation of the game – players who would otherwise repeatedly discard their hands in search of a better one are now required to actively engage in the betting or risk losing their chips.
Ante are not usually present; verify the table description carefully before playing. An ante is not usually present in “casual” games, and it is often omitted in blinds games. However, its presence has a profound effect on the game; even before the flip, a large pot is already available, which speeds up and enhances the excitement of the game. Consequently, ante appears often in tournaments, especially in the latter stages. With ante, more players remain in the game rather than folding, resulting in larger ratings for televised poker events. Most televised high-stakes cash games also include blinds and antes.
In live cash games where the active dealer switches with each turn, the dealer may pay an ante for each participant.