The rake in poker is the commission, fee or vig taken by the host of a cash poker game to offset their costs for hosting the game.
As cash poker is a player-versus-player game, rather than a player-versus-house game, the cost to the casino or online poker platform can’t be accommodated by the probabilities and payouts – as is the case in table games.
So, the poker rake is usually a set percentage up to a predetermined value of each hand’s pot, paying for the costs of hosting the game online or in-house.
How is the Rake Calculated in Poker Games?
In poker games, the rake is calculated as a percentage of the pot. However, this method can vary a bit between different poker variants like Texas Hold’em poker and Omaha, and the rules of the rake in online or live poker games.
Most of the time, the poker rake is a percentage of the pot up to a set amount after every hand. It could be 10 per cent of the pot up to four chips, for example. In live games, sometimes the poker rake won’t depend on the pot size but rather as a timed collection. This way is generally easier for the house to stay on top of and caters to particularly lengthy games of poker.
Online, rake calculations are done automatically by the program, allowing for a faster turnover of hands and a standardised approach to the rake.
What is the Pot Rake?
The pot rake is the percentage taken directly from the pot at the end of the round. Live, the dealer will take the chips from the pot before distributing the rest to the winner, but online, this is done automatically.
What are the Online Rake Rates?
Online rake rates vary tremendously, but the consensus range appears to be from 2.5 per cent in special online poker rooms up to around 10 per cent for non-tournament games.
What is the Dead Drop?
The dead drop is a method of poker rake that always charges the player with the dealer button. When it goes to a new player, they’ll pay the rake before the deal.
How Do Poker Fixed Fees Work?
Poker fixed fees work as a kind of rake by charging all players for every hand that they play before the cards are dealt. As a result, the poker rake becomes a fixed fee rather than a percentage determined on a sliding scale.
Why Does the Poker Rake Matter?
As the poker rake removes winnings from the pot, players need to factor it into their approach to the game if they want to be profitable in organised cash games.
How Does the Rake Impact Poker Strategy?
Many poker players strategise their calls, raises and betting on percentages of their chip stack or the pot.
With the rake taking away a percentage of that pot every hand, players need to consider:
The reducing chip count at the table, how much needs to be wagered to turn a good enough profit from a winning hand and if they need to up their raises.
Players simply need to move up the stakes more quickly to address the rake’s take. Otherwise, they lose too much money to the house to make a profit.
Does the Poker Rake Impact Profitability?
The poker rake can impact profitability. The higher the rake, the less profitable the longer games of cash poker become.
How Can You Optimise Poker Play to Mitigate the Rake?
You can’t ever fully mitigate the rake in poker, but the rake is a necessary part of the cash game. So, you have to work to lessen its impact rather than try to nullify it completely.
Tips for Mitigating the Rake on Your Winnings
- Play “no flop, no drop” games so the rake is limited to games with a flop.
- Play fewer hands before the flop that are of lower inherent value.
- Up the stakes faster with higher-rake games.
- Play a tighter game overall, where marginal calls after the flop change to folds.
Why Rakeback Matters for Regular Poker Players
Most games see the highly skilled players take the pot, but rakeback is usually offered to allow everyone who plays to get some chips back.
Sites that operate a hybrid rake system for its rakeback offers actually return more of the rake to the erratic or seemingly less-skilled poker players, so they’re worth finding if you’re not strictly a hardcore poker player.
How Does the Rake Vary in Popular Poker Variants?
The main way that the rake generally varies between poker variants is when it comes into play.
- Texas Hold’em Poker: No rake before the flop.
- Omaha Poker: No rake before the flop.
- Stud Poker: No rake before Fourth Street.
Implications of Rake Structures on Your Poker Play
Each rake structure has different implications for your play. For example, a timed collection rake may encourage you to be more aggressive when you have strong hands in an attempt to get the game finished quickly. In the No Flop, No Drop poker games, being more reserved before the flop may also be advised.
How Does the Online and Live Casino Poker Rake Differ?
Generally, online poker games stick to the pot rake system of taking a set percentage from each round automatically.
That said, being a more competitive space, many leading online poker platforms have relatively low rake percentages, lower maximum rakes, adhere to the No Flop, No Drop rake structure and offer rakeback bonuses.
Live poker also uses the pot rake system, but it can take more time than the other rake structures due to the need for a dealer to calculate and take chips.
So, time collection, tournament fees, fixed fees and dead drop can be preferential both for the house and the players. In any case, players need to account for the rake structure and strategise accordingly.
Want to Know More About the Rake in Poker?
How Much is the Rake in Poker?
In poker, the rake tends to range from 2.5 per cent up to 10 or 15 per cent of the pot of every round or hand.
What Percentage is the Poker Rake?
The poker rake percentage varies from table to table, casino to casino and website to website. Some offer what is generally considered to be a low poker rake of around 2.5 per cent, but most climb closer to 10 per cent.
How is the Poker Rake Calculated?
Poker rake is calculated as a set percentage that applies to every pot in most poker variants. So, the poker rake would be a set figure – five per cent, for example – and that will be calculated against the pot at the end of the hand.
What is the Difference Between Rake and Ante in Poker?
The rake in poker is essentially the house’s commission, which is a set percentage taken from each pot at the end of a hand.
The ante in poker is the blinds. Before hands are dealt, there is usually an obligatory big blind and small blind on which the player immediately to the left and the player to the left of them have to bet.
What is a Rakeback in Poker?
A rakeback in poker is a form of reward for players. Generally, the rakeback will return a percentage of the rake fees that a player has paid over a set period of time.
Do Online Poker Rooms Have Different Rake Structures?
Online poker rooms don’t tend to be able to use the time collection rake structure and will often stick to the pot rake as it can be taken automatically between hands.
How Does the Rake Affect My Winnings in Poker?
The rake takes a percentage of your winnings in poker. As the rake is usually a percentage of the pot, when you win and take the pot, you also lose the rake from your winnings.
Is the Rake Higher in Live Poker Games Compared to Online Poker?
The rake can vary greatly between individual live poker games and individual online poker rooms, but as a general rule, yes, the rake is higher in live poker games.