The Other Side of Poker Rake

The Other Side of Rake - NO LIMIT

We will be taking a more in depth look at how different rake structures break down. One of the most overlooked aspects of rake, is the frequency of collection. There is so much concentration on the max rake, which is only hit every 30 hands or more, but we will look at how rake structure can make a difference in every hand.

The two most common are “$0.05 rake collected per $1 in the pot”, or “$0.01 raked per $0.20 in the pot.” The higher the amount that has to be in the pot to collect rake, the better for the players because the increments are not hit as frequently. The charts above show, that most sites take rake more often at the smaller limits. This example illustrates the differences.  (check out the Fixed Limit Tables)

Example:

A pot is up to $55.75 Sites using the rake collection method of “5c per $1 in the Pot” would rake $2.75 from this hand. However at a site that collects “1c per 20c in the Pot” would rake $2.79 from this hand. While the amount is negligible for a single hand, over tens or hundreds of thousands of hands, one can see the amount of extra rake that is paid. The difference between these two methods is “1c per 20c in Pot” collects in five times as many increments.

As mentioned above, max rake is usually the focus of rake comparisons. However only a fraction of hands will approach the max. When the Max Rake per Hand is $3, then a pot has to reach at least $60 to be raked $3 Also take notice that some sites charge a lower cap on actual 1-on-1 Heads Up tables, compared to playing heads-up on a 6max or Full Ring table.

As of a few months ago both PokerStars and Everleaf Gaming Network have begun also offering cash games in Euros.  Below are the rake structures for both, for reference purposes.  It is unfair to compare these structures with the others for many reasons.  Probably most important for a serious player to recognize, is that the players likely to play on these tables, are likely to be a far lower skill level than normally encountered.  Due to this, it is highly possible for strong players, that the higher winrate can offset the higher rake.  These players are more commonly casual players, who have little knowledge of rake.

The Other Side of Rake - Fixed Limit