The expression “table stakes” is an important aspect of the rules and practice in poker, especially in cash games. Betting rules at a table determine how much money a player can use when placing bets in a specific hand. This is how it works:

Buying chips: At the start of a cash game or when sitting down at a poker table, players need to buy chips from the dealer or teller at the table. The amount of money which a player brings to the table is referred to as their “table stakes” or the size of their stack.

Maximum bets: Players can only place bets equal to the amount of money that they have in their stack. You may not take credit or additional chips from your pocket to increase the size of your bet. If you have $100 in your stack, the maximum bet you can place in the given hand may not exceed $100.

Topping up your stack: If your chips run out and you want to stay in the game, you can top up your stack in accordance with the rules of the cash game. Usually, this can only be done between hands (after one hand is finished and before the next one begins). The top-up amount is usually restricted to between the minimum and maximum buy-in for the given game.

Table stakes are important to ensure a fair and honest game, as they prevent players from pumping extra money into the game to create an unfair advantage. They also help players to manage their finances and control their risk.

These rules apply to cash games. In poker tournaments, the betting structure may be different, and participants receive a specific number of chips at the start of the tournament, though bets and blinds increase as the tournament progresses.