table stakes
Basic entry conditions
Table stakes originally refers to poker rules where players can only bet the chips already on the table—no reaching into pockets mid-hand.
In business and strategy, table stakes are the minimum requirements just to participate: Good customer service is table stakes in retail.
The phrase emphasizes that meeting table stakes doesn't give you an advantage; it merely keeps you in the game.
baseline
Standard for comparison
- prerequisiteRequired prior condition
- necessityIndispensable requirement
- minimumSmallest possible quantity
essential · fundamental · mandatory · threshold · ante · buy-in · entry fee · qualifier · basic · core
ante
Pre-deal poker payment
wager · bet · blind · all-in · call · raise · limit · no-limit · cash game · betting
table stakesnice-to-haves
Desired but unnecessary features
luxuries · frills · bells and whistles · extras · optional
table stakessecret sauce
Undisclosed competitive advantage
competitive edge · special sauce · edge · crown jewels · differentiators
table, stable, tablet, stake, tables, unstable, tablecloth, stakes, tablespoon