Old School Poker

[Saddlepoint]

Cincinnati Kid Rules: A call must meet your opponent's wager exactly; if you can't afford to call the entirety of his bet, you must fold and forfeit anything you've already put into the pot.

1) Did people actually play this way? For real?

2) Can anybody explain to me how anybody starting with a lesser net worth than his opponent stands any chance whatsoever of winning in a game with an ante?

3) Can anybody explain to me how two thinking players could possibly reach a result other than breaking even in a game without an ante?