Understanding Poker Rake: The Hidden Cost of Playing
Rake is the commission charged by poker rooms for hosting games. It is the primary way both online poker sites and brick-and-mortar card rooms generate revenue. While individual rake amounts may seem small, their cumulative impact on a player's bottom line is substantial. According to the PokerNews strategy section, failing to account for rake is one of the most common mistakes recreational players make.
How Pot Rake Works
The most common rake structure is pot rake, where a percentage of each pot is taken by the house. A typical structure might be 5% of the pot capped at $3. This means on a $60 pot, the full $3 cap is taken, but on a $20 pot, only $1.00 is removed. Most poker rooms use a "no flop, no drop" rule, meaning rake is only taken when the hand reaches the flop. This calculator factors in your VPIP (Voluntarily Put money In Pot) percentage to estimate how many hands generate rake for you.
Break-Even Win Rate After Rake
Perhaps the most important number this calculator provides is your break-even win rate. This tells you the minimum bb/100 (big blinds per 100 hands) you need to win just to cover your rake contributions. Many players are surprised to learn that their break-even threshold is 2-4 bb/100 at typical rake structures. Given that a strong winning player at low-to-mid stakes earns around 3-8 bb/100, rake clearly consumes a significant portion of gross winnings. The Two Plus Two poker forums have extensively documented community discussions about rake impact at various stakes.
Rake at Different Stakes
Rake hits micro-stakes players hardest in proportional terms. A $3 cap at $0.01/$0.02 with average pots of $2 means the full 5% is nearly always taken. At $1/$2 with average pots of $50, the $3 cap represents just 6% of the average pot rather than the full 5% rate. This is why many experienced poker players recommend that improving players move up in stakes when their bankroll allows, as the effective rake burden decreases significantly.
Time Rake and Tournament Fees
Some live poker rooms use time rake (also called seat charges) instead of pot rake. Players pay a fixed amount per half-hour or hour, regardless of how many pots they win. This structure typically benefits aggressive players who contest many pots. Tournament players pay rake through the entry fee (often 10% of the buy-in), which is taken upfront rather than from individual pots. The Card Player magazine publishes regular guides on casino poker room structures.
Rakeback and Loyalty Programs
Most online poker rooms offer rakeback programs that return a percentage of your rake contribution. Programs typically return 15-50% of rake, which can significantly shift your break-even point. For example, with 30% rakeback, a player who would break even at 3 bb/100 now only needs about 2.1 bb/100. Our cashback and rakeback programs guide explains these systems in detail.
For a comprehensive explanation of poker rake mechanics, fee structures, and how they affect the poker economy, read our detailed guide on how online poker rake works and what it costs players.
Interpreting Your Results
Use this calculator to understand your true cost of playing poker. If your net hourly rate after rake is negative or very small, consider these options: move to games with lower rake structures, improve your win rate through study, seek out better rakeback deals, or play fewer tables more attentively. The variance calculations from Upswing Poker also demonstrate how important it is to have a win rate that comfortably exceeds your rake burden.
You may also find our bankroll management guide helpful for determining appropriate stakes given your bankroll and win rate after rake.