General
table stakes
What does table stakes mean?
The basic features or requirements you must have just to be in the game.
"Two-factor auth is table stakes for enterprise now."
Origin
Poker term (minimum stake to play).
Frequently asked questions
What does 'table stakes' mean in business?
It means the minimum features or requirements you need just to be considered a serious competitor, before you can offer anything that actually differentiates you.
Where does the phrase come from?
It's a poker term for the minimum amount you must put in to sit down and play a hand.
How do you use it in a sentence?
You use it to mark something as a baseline expectation, e.g. 'Free shipping is table stakes in e-commerce now.'
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