Most individuals who play poker have an understanding that there are costs involved, rake especially at the tables. However, only a limited group really comprehends the intricate workings of rake and the actual amount they are contributing.
Acquiring a strong grasp of rake can significantly influence whether a player comes out ahead or falls behind.
In this poker rake guide, we will explore the following topics -
What is Rake in Poker?
Rake is essentially the fee that players owe to the poker room. In online poker games, this is typically represented as a percentage cut taken from the overall pot, and this deduction happens automatically without requiring player intervention.
In live poker games, a similar principle applies. Nevertheless, there are additional techniques by which a poker room might extract rake, including methods like time collection and dead drop.
Here's a brief overview of the various approaches that cardrooms use to implement rake -
| Method | Description |
|
Pot Rake (% of pot) |
The poker room retains a portion of the total pot. In some situations, this deduction may be set as a fixed amount per pot rather than as a percentage. |
| Time Collection |
Every participant in the game pays the same rake amount after a designated duration. interval has passed. |
| Dead Drop |
The player in the button position pays a predetermined rake amount. (The button moves around the table after each hand). |
The Rake and the Cap
Pot rake is typically quantified using two key metrics: the rake percentage and the cap.
- Rake % - This percentage (usually somewhere between 2% and 10%) indicates how much of each pot the poker room will claim as rake.
- Cap - This is the highest amount that can be taken as rake from any specific pot.
The interplay between these two metrics means that a poker room room with a higher rake percentage could actually cost less than one with a lower rate.
This can occur if the poker room with the higher percentage sets a lower cap (and vice versa). Conversely, a lower rake percentage room could prove to be quite pricey if their rake cap is elevated. The overall average size of the pots also plays a role in this.
Example Rake Structure
The table below is derived from the Limits and Rake section found on the 888poker website. (Keep in mind, these values may change; this table serves simply as an illustration):
To start, the rake percentage can fluctuate based on the limit. It's quite common for lower-limit games to impose a greater rake percentage compared to higher-limit games. Additionally, the rake expenses can differ, based on how many players are involved in the hand.
We observe that higher-limit games generally feature a more significant cap on the surface. However, it’s prudent to analyze the rake cap in terms of big blinds , not absolute values.
By considering big blinds, we can better comprehend how costly a game is relative to the stakes.
- As an illustration, the cap is set at $1 for games of 2 players ranging from $0.02/$0.05 up to $2/$5. Thus, higher-limit games could be considered technically cheaper to participate in.
- In a $0.02/$0.05 match, the rake can reach up to 20 big blinds for a single pot, while in a $2/$5 match, the maximum would be only 0.2 big blinds. That's a dramatic difference!
In general, to maintain profitability despite the rake, players in lower-limit games must strive for higher win rates. Fortunately, the fact that these lower-limit games are typically easier to conquer helps balance this requirement.
Calculating Rake
Understanding the rake percentage and rake cap is only part of the equation. Now, let’s look at a practical example of calculating rake.
In a six-handed game with stakes of $0.05/$0.10, two players commit their entire $10, resulting in a total pot of $20.
How much rake does the room take?
According to the aforementioned table, the rake is set at 5%, with a cap of $2. In this instance, the absolute maximum the room can take is $2.
Given a total pot of $20, 5% equals $1. Thus, the room deducts $1, which is equivalent to 10 big blinds, and the cap is not reached in this scenario.
Consequently, the champion of the pot will receive $19 instead of the full $20.
Compare the same hand at $5/10 with a $2,000 pot.
Referring again to the earlier table, we find the rake remains at 5%, but the rake cap now increases to $5.
With a total pot of $2,000, 5% equals $100. Yet this exceeds the cap. Therefore, the room only collects $5, equating to 0.5 big blinds (the cap amount).
In our second example, the absolute rake amount is higher ($5 vs. $1). However, in the realm of big blinds, the higher-limit game eases the cost for players.
Why Do We Care About Rake?
The rake we incur can ultimately decide whether we become a winning or losing poker player.
- It’s crucial that we are not just superior to our opponents for victory.
- Our aim should be to secure enough wins that our earnings surpass the costs inflicted by the rake.
Playing in environments with lower rake can significantly accelerate our progress and help us expand our bankroll.
On the other hand, if the rake is disproportionately high, even a player who usually wins can find themselves at a loss. The poker industry has a term for this phenomenon: a rake trap. We'll discuss later how rakeback can somewhat alleviate high rake burdens.
No Flop, No Drop
Typically, poker rooms only impose a percentage of the pot in hands where players see a flop. This policy is known as no flop, no drop .
This standard isn't universally applied across all establishments. Therefore, it's essential to verify if a specific room rakes preflop pots. We cannot simply compare one room's rake percentage and cap if one charges for preflop pots while the other does not.
888poker adheres to the no flop, no drop principle, refraining from taking rake until after the flop has been dealt.
Estimating Paid Rake
Ideally, we would like to have an estimate of the rake we'll be responsible for over a set duration. Much like running a business, it's important to have an understanding of our expenses before engaging in play. poker room Rake amounts paid are often quantified in big blinds per hundred hands , which is the same metric used for overall poker win rates.
Calculating the rake paid in advance can be quite complex. This is because the rake percentage fluctuates based on the size of each pot. Some pots may hit the rake cap, while others won’t.
To grasp how much rake we have incurred in a certain game, we need to track our actual play. Online players can utilize tools
So, the best way is to play a volume of poker hands to display rake paid in the form of big blinds per hundred hands. The resultant figure provides an approximation of the rake we might anticipate in future play. poker tracking software We can also inquire with another player about their rake payments expressed in bb/100 hands for a specific game. While this can offer a reasonable reference, it's vital to remember that the rake amount is closely tied to our playing style.
A highly aggressive player may pay significantly more in rake compared to a more conservative player.
Numerous poker rooms return part of the rake back to the players. This system is commonly known as rakeback .
What is Rakeback?
Rakeback often comes in the form of loyalty rewards. A poker room may utilize terminology other than rakeback for their incentives.
For instance, as of this writing, 888poker has introduced the 888poker club. Players earn gold coins based on their table play, which they can exchange for prizes, including cash bonuses. This is a type of rakeback.
Players frequently aim to calculate their potential rakeback as a portion of the rake they have paid. For example, receiving 20% rakeback would mean getting back $0.20 for every $1 they have contributed in rake.
It's beneficial to thoroughly understand how the loyalty program functions on a particular platform. Some of these systems offer greater values than others.
Some are specifically designed to cater to certain types of players.
- A few reward exceptionally high-volume play.
- Others provide more benefits to losing players.
- Certain programs appreciate consistency—such as habitual daily play, even if only for short sessions.
- A rake race refers to a rakeback initiative that incentivizes players who generate the most volume of rake over a particular timeframe.
Rake Races
This promotion is particularly appealing to high-volume players. However, one drawback is that it can encourage unsafe playing habits since rake races can become intensely competitive. A daily rake race might necessitate a player logging in more than 16 hours to secure the top reward.
The prizes for rake races can be quite considerable, enabling players to recover more than 100% of their rake back (essentially, they are securing a portion of the overall rake contributed by other players participating in the pool).
While poker rooms occasionally facilitate rake races, poker affiliates often sponsor them as well. Affiliates are businesses that refer players to the poker room and earn a share of their rake as compensation.
They motivate their referred players to maximize volume by presenting rake races as an incentive.
When it comes to tournaments, rake is managed differently as opposed to cash games. Instead of taking a rake from each individual pot, all participants in a tournament pay an upfront rake fee, commonly referred to as a tournament fee or entry fee .
Tournament Rake
The buy-in for a tournament is divided into two components -
The main buy-in amount goes straight to the tournament’s prize fund.
- The tournament or entry fee (which acts as rake) is allocated to the poker room.
- For example, in an 888poker online tournament, the buy-in amount is $3.30.
By checking the tournament lobby within the 888poker client, we can see how the buy-in is divided. $3 constitutes the tournament buy-in, while $0.30 is the entry fee that benefits the room.
In this comprehensive poker rake guide, 888poker aims to explore every facet of rake. Understanding rake is crucial, as it can significantly affect your success in the game.
Rake - The Key Takeaways
Many poker enthusiasts have a general awareness that they will incur fees while playing.
- However, only a small fraction truly grasps the intricacies of rake and can identify the amounts they owe.
- Grasping the concept of rake thoroughly can distinguish a winning player from a losing one in their poker journey.
- This poker rake guide will cover several key points:
- The poker rake is essentially a fee collected from players by the casino. In most games, it’s a percentage taken out of the total pot automatically, without any need for players to act.
- In live poker games, a similar system is in place, but there are additional methods for collecting rake, such as fixed time fees or a dead drop system.