Rake is poker's necessary evil—the house's compensation for hosting games. Understanding rake structures and maximizing rakeback significantly impacts your bottom line.
What is Rake? Poker sites take a percentage of each cash game pot (typically 5%, capped at $3-5) or tournament buy-in (usually 10%). This fee funds operations, security, and profit. Unlike house-banked games, poker rake is transparent.
Capped vs. Uncapped Rake: Most sites cap rake per pot, protecting players in large pots. Some sites use graduated rake scales, reducing percentages in bigger pots. Lower caps and graduated scales benefit players.
Tournament Rake: Tournament fees appear separately from buy-ins. A $10+$1 tournament costs $11 total—$10 to prize pool, $1 to the site. High-stakes tournaments often feature lower rake percentages.
Rakeback Basics: Rakeback returns a percentage of your rake to you. Typical rakeback is 20-40%, though some sites offer 50%+ for high-volume players. This return directly increases your win rate.
Reward Points Systems: Many sites use points-based systems rather than direct rakeback. Earn points through play, then exchange for bonuses, tournament entries, or merchandise. Compare value carefully.
VIP Programs: Sites like PokerStars and partypoker feature tiered VIP programs. Higher tiers earn better rewards, cashback percentages, and exclusive benefits. High-volume players benefit significantly from top tiers.
Calculating Rake Impact: If you pay $10,000 in annual rake and receive 30% rakeback ($3,000), that's equivalent to increasing your win rate by the rakeback amount. For marginal winners, rakeback means profitability.
Comparing Sites: Don't select sites based solely on rakeback. Consider game quality, player pool softness, software quality, and deposit/withdrawal reliability. Higher rakeback with tougher games may be less profitable.
Promoter Deals: Third-party promoters sometimes offer enhanced rakeback deals in exchange for signing up through their links. Research carefully—legitimate promoters provide real value, while scammers exist.
Rake Races and Leaderboards: Some sites offer rake races where top monthly rakers win bonuses. These promotions reward high-volume players and can substantially increase effective rakeback.
Optimizing for Rakeback: Playing more tables, longer sessions, or higher stakes increases absolute rake paid and rakeback earned. However, never sacrifice win rate for rakeback. Profitability before rakeback must remain positive.
No-Rake Promotions: Occasional promotions offer reduced or zero rake hours. These periods are extremely valuable—prioritize playing during them. Competition increases, but soft games with no rake are highly profitable.
Mobile and Live Rake: Mobile apps typically charge standard rake despite reduced features. Live casinos rake similarly to online but lack rakeback. Factor this difference into game selection.
Tax Considerations: Rakeback counts as income in most jurisdictions. Maintain records of rakeback received for tax purposes. Consult tax professionals regarding gambling income reporting.
Responsible Gaming: Don't let rakeback incentives encourage overplaying. If you're playing primarily for rakeback rather than game quality, reassess your priorities. Profitability should drive decisions, not reward chasing.