Sklansky's Large Ante (play looser) v. Small Ante (play tighter) rule

[Scorpius]

I'm reading Sklansky's "The Theory of Poker" where he discusses the ante structure. He includes "forced bets" in the his use of the term "ante". He says to play looser when the ante is large "in comparison to future bets", but he doesn't really explain what future bets he is talking about. Do any of you understand what he is talking about? If so, I would appreciate some enlightenment. It is confusing to me because in limit poker the small bet and big bet are constant and their ratio to prior bets seems to be about the same. Does anyone know what he is talking about? Thanks.

[Niediam]

Remember that not all betting structures are X and then 2X... some places play things like limit holdem where the first round of betting is $2, the next round is $4 and the final two rounds are $8.

[Scorpius]

What is considered small ante in comparison to future bets vs. large ante in comparison to future bets??? I'm having a hard time understanding the difference...if it's simply the ratio of ante or forced blind bet to future bets, wouldn't all X and 2X games like 1/2, 5/10 or 75/150 be viewed the same...the ante or blinds are the same size in comparison to future bets? If so, then how do you know if these are large ante in comparison to future bets or small ante in comparison to future bets games???

[eurythmech]

Well in some holdem games (usually tournaments) there are antes go along with the blinds, they are usually between 1/5bb and 1/10 bb, and that is quite a difference.

Also, in stud differences between limit and bringins and antes can vary a lot.

[BluffTHIS!]

What TOP is talking about is the size of the ante in relation to the bet on the next round. Thus in a 30-60 stud game with $10 antes one would play looser than a similar 30-60 game with $5 antes. Similarly in holdem, one would play looser in completing the small blind when that blind is 2/3 the big blind like in 15-30 rather than 1/2 as in 10/20.