In poker, table stakes is a rule that states that a player can only bet or raise with the amount of chips they have in front of them. This rule is in place to prevent players from bluffing with chips they don’t actually have.

The term “table stakes” comes from the fact that the amount of chips a player has in front of them is their “stake” in the game. This means that they are only risking the amount of chips they have in front of them, and they cannot borrow chips from other players or the house.

Table stakes is an important rule in poker because it helps to ensure that the game is fair. If players were allowed to bet or raise with chips they didn’t actually have, it would give them an unfair advantage.

There are a few exceptions to the table stakes rule. For example, if a player is all-in, they can only call with the chips they have in front of them. They cannot raise, as they have no more chips to bet.

Another exception to the table stakes rule is if a player is playing in a tournament. In a tournament, players are given a certain number of chips at the beginning of the tournament, and they can rebuy chips if they run out. However, the amount of chips a player can rebuy with is limited, and it is usually less than the amount of chips they started with.

Table stakes is an important rule in poker, and it helps to ensure that the game is fair. By following the table stakes rule, players can be confident that they are only risking the amount of chips they have in front of them.