Ante in poker is a mandatory bet that players put in before the cards are dealt. Unlike blinds, an ante is usually paid by the whole table, not just by two players.

How does Ante work?

That money goes straight into the pot before the hand even begins. Because of that, there is already something to compete for in every hand, even if nobody makes an extra bet. This is why an ante speeds the game up and makes passive play less comfortable.

Where is it used?

Ante is most common in tournaments, especially in the middle and later stages. It also appears in some cash game formats, but much less often.

Is it good or bad?

An ante is not good or bad by itself. It simply changes the dynamic of the table. Players have to defend their stack more widely, enter more pots, and pay closer attention to pot size from the preflop stage.