Table stakes
In a game of poker, the table stakes are a way of limiting the amount of money that a player can win or lose in a round of poker. According to the table stakes rules and regulations, a player may, at no point of time, bet more than s/he had in her/his stack at the beginning of the hand. A player cannot go back and buy more chips to play or bet further, especially after the hand has been dealt.
Between rounds, a player is allowed to re-stock up chips as long as the entire stack does not exceed the maximum buy-in limit set by the table rules.
In cash games, table stakes are one of the most important aspects as they help keep the playing field level. Maximum and minimum buy-ins as well as stringent rules for replenishing and refilling the stack ensures that the game stays fair for all participants. Rat holing is also not allowed as a part of the table stakes and if a player does wish to take out a little portion of her/his stack as a hedge, then s/he has to leave the table and then rejoin after paying the buy-in again.
This rule is not necessarily valid for tournament play as in tournaments, buy-ins are allowed only till a certain point.
When players with a large difference in the amount of money they have, come together on the same table, table stakes play an important role in keeping the competition levels high by keeping the players at the same level.
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