Ante Tables Coming To PokerStars

I just noticed something new in the Holdem Ring Game Filter on PokerStars. There are two new options "Tables with antes" and "Tables without antes".

So far no ante games have been added but according to a recent tweet from the PokerStars team it should be coming soon.

Our latest client version has a software change to allow Hold'em cash games with antes. This is not deployed yet, but coming soon.

These new tables will have a different dynamic. Somewhere between full ring and 6-max tables I think. 6-max ante games should be even more interesting.

The additional cost of antes will mean players will need to mix it up more since each orbit will cost more than just the small and big blind. The increased size of the pot

Ante games are sure to create more action. These aren't going to be tables where you can camp on 16 tables waiting for premium hands trying to get a 1-2 BB/100 win rate. That just won't work.

I'm curious to see what levels will start to have antes. My guess it will be at higher stakes tables. Can't really have an ante at $0.01/$0.02 NLHE.

On FTP, Ante games seem to start at $0.02/$0.05 with a $0.01 ante. Tables without antes still seem to be more popular though.

This is a good move by PokerStars. It's the largest online poker room out there but it doesn't really have the nose bleed cash game traffic that Full Tilt Poker does. This might help them attract more high stakes online players.

I wonder if we'll see a "run it twice" option soon.

What do you think? Are you looking forward to playing with antes?