Money and games
Rake in poker
Definition
The commission a poker room takes from cash-game pots, or the fee added to a tournament buy-in.
In cash games the rake is a small percentage of the pot, usually capped at a maximum amount. In tournaments it is the fee on top of the buy-in, for example $1 on $10.
Rake is the main cost of playing and the reason many break-even players lose money in the long run. Rakeback and bonuses reduce its effect.
Try the calculatorWork it out with our free Rake & Rakeback Calculator.Read the guideGo deeper in our guide.
Related terms
- RakebackA share of the rake or fees you pay that the room or an affiliate returns to you.
- PotAll the chips or money wagered in the current hand, which the winner collects.
- Cash gameA poker game played with real money chips that you can buy and leave with at any time, with fixed blinds.
- BB/100Your win rate in cash games: how many big blinds you win per 100 hands.