Rake

In Depth Look

Rake is essentially the house’s commission for facilitating poker games, and it plays a critical role in the economics of both live and online poker rooms. The most common method of collecting rake in cash games is taking a percentage of the pot—often between 2.5% and 10%—once the pot reaches a minimum size. To prevent excessive fees, many venues cap the rake at a maximum amount per pot, which varies depending on the stakes. This system ensures the house earns revenue while keeping the game fair and attractive to players. In some cases, especially in live games, rake might also be collected as a time-based fee per player per hour, known as a “time rake,” rather than from each pot.

The rake structure can vary widely across different poker rooms and formats, affecting the overall cost of playing. Tournament rake is generally embedded in the buy-in—players pay a higher upfront fee that includes the prize pool contribution plus the house fee. Online poker sites often have flexible rake systems, sometimes offering promotions or reduced rake to attract players. Understanding these differences is important because higher rake rates can significantly reduce player winnings, especially in lower-stakes games where pots tend to be smaller. Players who frequently play in high-rake environments must adjust their strategies accordingly to maintain profitability.

From a player’s perspective, rake is one of the biggest obstacles to consistent winning. Even highly skilled players face challenges overcoming the built-in cost of rake, which acts like a tax on every hand played. To offset this, players need to focus on making profitable decisions that can outweigh the fees, often requiring tight bankroll management and careful game selection. In some cases, players seek out games with lower rake or rakeback promotions to improve their expected value. Ultimately, a clear understanding of how rake works—and how it affects expected returns—is essential for anyone serious about poker as a long-term endeavor.