Poker rake is the fee a card room takes from each cash-game pot, usually a percentage of the pot up to a fixed cap. Tournaments charge a separate entry fee on top of the buy-in. At a 5% rake with a $3 cap, a $40 pot costs $2 and any pot above $60 costs $3. All figures below are illustrative examples calculated for this guide, not operator data.
How is poker rake calculated in a cash game?
Most cash-game rake follows one formula: rake = min(pot × rake percentage, cap). The percentage applies until the pot reaches the cap divided by the percentage. After that point the room takes the same flat amount no matter how large the pot grows.
The example below uses a generic structure of 5% with a $3 cap. The cap is reached at a $60 pot ($3 ÷ 0.05). Effective rake means the rake as a share of the pot.
| Final pot | 5% of pot | Rake taken (cap $3) | Effective rake |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10 | $0.50 | $0.50 | 5.0% |
| $40 | $2.00 | $2.00 | 5.0% |
| $60 | $3.00 | $3.00 | 5.0% |
| $100 | $5.00 | $3.00 | 3.0% |
| $200 | $10.00 | $3.00 | 1.5% |
Illustrative example calculated for this guide. Not a structure published by any operator.
What is the difference between rake and a tournament fee?
Cash games deduct rake from pots while hands are played. Tournaments collect a fee when a player registers, and the entry is written as buy-in plus fee, such as $100+$9. The $100 goes into the prize pool and the $9 goes to the room.
The fee is easiest to compare as a share of total cost. In a $100+$9 event the total cost is $109, so the fee is 8.26% of what the player pays ($9 ÷ $109) and 9.0% of the buy-in ($9 ÷ $100). A 100-player field generates $10,000 in prizes and $900 in fees.
| Entry | Total cost | Fee as % of buy-in | Fee as % of total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20+$2 | $22 | 10.0% | 9.09% |
| $50+$5 | $55 | 10.0% | 9.09% |
| $100+$9 | $109 | 9.0% | 8.26% |
Illustrative entries calculated for this guide, not listings from any operator.
The fee also sets a break-even point. A player who enters $100+$9 events must average $109 back per entry just to finish even. An average return of $120 per $109 entry equals a 10.09% return on investment (ROI).
How much rake does a player pay per hour?
Hourly cost depends on pace, how many hands are raked, and pot size. This example uses stated assumptions: a six-handed table dealing 80 hands per hour, 35% of hands raked, an average raked pot of $12, the 5% and $3 cap structure above, and $0.25/$0.50 blinds.
- Raked hands per hour: 80 × 0.35 = 28.
- Rake per raked pot: 5% of $12 = $0.60 (below the cap).
- Rake taken at the table per hour: 28 × $0.60 = $16.80.
- Shared across six seats: $2.80 per player per hour, or $3.50 per 100 hands, which equals 7 big blinds per 100 hands.
The seven big blinds per 100 hands is the gross cost under these assumptions. Rake is taken from pots whoever wins them, so a modest win rate can shrink quickly when rake rises. The three assumptions (35% raked, $12 pot, 80 hands) are invented for illustration and are not measurements.
Why does the rake cap matter at different stakes?
A cap makes rake regressive. In the first table the effective rate falls from 5.0% to 1.5% as the pot grows from $60 to $200. Small pots feel the full percentage, while large pots feel a small one. Stakes with deep stacks and big pots therefore carry a lower effective rake than low stakes with short stacks, all else equal.
What should players check in a rake structure?
Before choosing a room, players can compare a short list of items taken from the published rake or fee page:
- The percentage and the cap, listed per stake and table size.
- Whether a flop is required before any rake is taken. The exact rule varies by room, so the rake policy page is the place to check.
- The entry fee ratio in tournaments, calculated as fee ÷ total cost.
- Whether rakeback or promotions exist and how they are earned. These reduce the net cost but depend on room terms.
Strategy context for these numbers appears in the poker strategy section. Readers comparing venues can start with the overviews of poker sites and poker rooms, and tournament formats are covered under poker tournaments.
Which numbers in this guide come from operators?
None. Every percentage, cap, fee, and hourly figure was calculated for this guide using the formulas shown. Operators change rake and fee schedules, so players should read the current official rake page of any room before playing.
Where can players find help with gambling problems?
Poker involves financial risk and is not suitable for everyone. Players who feel gambling is becoming a problem can call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738); the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) also lists 1-800-522-4700 as still active. More information is at ncpgambling.org. Only wager money that can be lost. Players must be of legal age in their state.
Verified on October 20, 2026.
The post Poker Rake Explained: How Much Does the House Take? appeared first on Poker News Daily.
About The Author
