What Does It Mean to Steal the Antes?

Introduction

In tournament poker, surviving isn't enough. To thrive, especially in the mid to late stages, you need to find ways to grow your stack without relying solely on premium hands or big showdowns. That’s where stealing the antes comes in.

When executed well, ante steals become a low-risk, high-reward tactic that adds valuable chips to your stack, allows you to control table flow, and keeps your opponents constantly under pressure.

In this blog, we will explore the concept of ante stealing and offer a step-by-step guide on how to do it effectively.

What Does It Mean to Steal the Antes?

Once antes are introduced in a poker tournament, every player at the table contributes a fixed amount to the pot before the hand begins. This means that each hand starts with a larger pot than in the early blind-only levels.

To ‘steal the antes’ means to raise preflop with the primary goal of getting everyone to fold, especially the blinds, so you can win the pot uncontested.

For example:

• Blinds: 2,000/4,000
• Ante: 500 per player
• Players: 9-handed

Total pot before any action = 2,000 (SB) + 4,000 (BB) + (9 × 500) = 11,500 chips

If you raise to 8,500 from the cutoff and everyone folds, you've just added nearly 3 big blinds to your stack without seeing a flop.

Why Stealing the Antes is Crucial

The Pot is Worth Fighting For

In ante levels, the pot often exceeds twice the big blind before a single card is dealt. Successfully stealing just a few of these pots per orbit can significantly boost your chip stack over time.

You Avoid Unnecessary Risk

You don’t need a showdown. There's no need to hit a flop, navigate a tricky turn, or make marginal river calls. A successful ante steal is pure preflop profit.

Your Stack Buys You More Influence

When you steal regularly, you:

• Stay ahead of the blinds
• Maintain fold equity for future plays
• Intimidate tighter players into folding marginal hands

Over time, you become the player others fear, not the one scrambling for survival.

When to Steal the Antes

• Late Position is Prime Real Estate

The button and cutoff are the most effective seats for ante stealing. From these positions, you have fewer players left to act and better postflop leverage if called.

• Button (BTN): Ideal, as you will always have position postflop.
• Cutoff (CO): Still very strong, only the button and blinds left to beat.

• Pick the Right Targets

Successful stealing relies on table awareness. Look for:

• Tight blinds who overfold to opens
• Short stacks unlikely to defend without a strong hand
• Players protecting ICM or pay jumps late in the tournament

On the flip side, avoid attempting steals when:

• The blinds are aggressive or unpredictable
• Players behind you are likely to 3-bet light
• You’re out of position or likely to face a re-shove

How to Steal: Step-by-Step Strategy

1. Know Your Stack Size

Your stack size determines how wide you can steal and whether you can fold to a re-shove.

20+ BB: Open liberally with blocker hands, suited connectors, and small pairs

15–20 BB: Be more selective—use hands that can call a 3-bet shove

Under 15 BB: Consider jamming instead of raising, especially with fold equity

2. Use Smart Sizing

Your raise size should threaten the blinds without risking unnecessary chips.

Standard steal size: 2x to 2.5x the big blind

On tighter tables: even a 2x raise can be effective

On looser or deeper tables: lean closer to 2.5x or 3x

Smaller opens keep your range flexible and preserve chips when you face resistance.

3. Choose the Right Hands

You don’t need monsters. You need blockers, playability, and deception.

Effective hands for stealing:

• Any Ace (A2+): Blocks strong Ax holdings
• Broadways (KQ, QJ, KJ): Good blockers and postflop equity
• Suited connectors (76s, 65s): Hidden strength if called
• Small pairs (22–66): Great for set-mining if flatted, easy folds if 3-bet

Hands like A9o or K5s aren’t glamorous, but in the right spot, they can win you a pot preflop with little risk.

4. Have a Plan for Resistance

You won’t always get folds. Be prepared for:

• Flats from the blinds: Stay composed, use position to control the pot
• Re-raises (3-bets): Decide in advance which hands you’ll defend with or fold

If you're facing frequent 3-bets, consider adjusting your steal range tighter or shifting your focus to re-steal opportunities instead.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Stealing Too Often Without Adjusting

Good players will catch on. If you are stealing every orbit, expect someone to push back. Mix in value raises and occasional traps to keep your opponents honest.

• Ignoring Stack Sizes

Trying to steal when the big blind has 12 BB and is looking to jam can backfire. Be aware of reshove stacks and avoid thin steals against players who might punish you.

• Overcommitting with Marginal Hands

Don’t fall in love with your steal attempt. If you get 3-bet, and your hand isn’t strong enough to continue, let it go. Save your chips for the next spot.

Scenario: Steal Breakdown

Blinds: 3,000/6,000
Ante: 750
Pot before action: (8×750) + 3,000 + 6,000 = 14,000 chips
Your Stack: 90,000
Position: Button
Hand: K♣8♠

You raise to 13,000. Both blinds fold. You win 14,000 chips, increasing your stack by 15% without seeing a flop. This is the power of well-timed ante steals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best hands to steal with?

Ideal steal hands have blocker value, postflop playability, or both. Hands like Ax, KQ, suited connectors (like 76s), and small pairs (22–66) are great options. Avoid weak offsuit hands unless blinds are very tight. Use position and player tendencies to widen or narrow your range appropriately.

How often should you attempt to steal the antes?

There's no fixed number, but on average, stealing 2–3 times per orbit from the late position is reasonable, provided the situation on the table allows it. If opponents don’t adjust, you can steal more aggressively. But if they begin 3-betting light or defending frequently, tighten up and shift your focus to value raises or trap hands.

What to do if you get 3-bet while stealing?

If you are raised, don’t stubbornly continue with weak hands. Decide ahead of time which hands you’ll fold, call, or 4-bet with. Against tight 3-bettors, you can fold more often. Against aggressive opponents, mix in traps or widen your value range. The key is to avoid overcommitting without a plan.

Conclusion

Stealing antes is not about luck or bluffing every hand. It’s about using logic, math, psychology, and position to win pots that belong to no one. The best players in the world don’t just win big hands, they accumulate small wins relentlessly. That’s how stacks grow and titles are claimed.