How Much to Rake?
Posted on March 8, 2008
Filed Under Articles, Tips and Advice
How much should you rake at a home poker game? Well first, let me start explaining what rake is.
Rake is the percentage of the pot taken by the house. It’s how the players pay the house. Rake is how casinos, poker rooms, online poker rooms, and big home poker games make their money.
Often times, players complain about the rake. I think it’s dumb to complain about the rake, so long as it’s a fair amount. Obviously, an extremely high rake would be enough cause to complain. But why complain? The poker room or game is providing a place to play, a place where players know to look for a game, food, drinks, and the general poker atmosphere, you should not have any issue playing. A few times, some of my players would complain, but I would say to them, “Well find somewhere else that provides the comforts that I provide while you’re playing poker.” Most players will understand if you present it to them in that manner.
Most games usually take 10% and cap the rake at $5 (the max rake that can be taken from a pot, no matter the pot size). There is usually a minimum pot size to begin taking rake, but that varies from game to game and is also partially determined by the stakes played. I raked 10% with the minimum pot size being $10. I should also mention that it’s never a true 10%, because $15 would still be only $1 rake. At $20, then the rake becomes $2. Again, $25 would still only be $2 and so forth. I capped my rake at $4, just to provide a little uniqueness to my game.
I’ve been to games where the rake was uncapped and there was no minimum pot size. Just about every pot was raked, and the owner / dealer of the house would take rake as they pleased. Most players don’t even notice rake being taken. The players that are aware of the rake, would be extremely pissed to find that there is no cap on the rake. An uncapped rake is virtually unheard of. If you want to scare away some players from your game, host an uncapped rake game. I actually have a good friend who hosts such a game, and while his game is a great game, I disagree with his Rake System. I will add that he maintains a great game and great relationship with his players, so I think with that, most see past his rake system. Even I myself still play at his game today because he runs a great game with some great players. Nonetheless, I personally wouldn’t recommend applying such a system of rake.
There is something that’ll make you a little extra money. I know of another game where there is a Bad Beat Jackpot. His rake system was the same as mine except he capped his rake at $5. However, if the pot grew over $100 (which at this crazy game, it would frequently grow to that), he’d take $6. The extra $1 would go to the Bad Beat Jackpot, which, if Aces full of Jacks or better got beat, loser would get a Plasma TV. Of course, the chances of someone hitting the Bad Beat Jackpot is extremely slim, so you’d pocket that extra Jackpot for the most part. Something he did, which think a host should do instead of pocketing the extra money, was host a Freeroll tourney. Tournaments are good to have every once in awhile. Players love tournaments, so give it to them. You don’t make much money from tournaments, but it’s good to keep the players happy. And he does, he averages $70 -$80 / hr in rake. My average was between $35 – $50, so it ranged greatly.
Another thing to keep in mind is, as you’re taking rake, make sure you empty the rake tray, once it gets close to being full. The thing is, the poker players don’t realize how much money is being taken off the table. Though I’m not suggesting to hide the rake system at all, avoid at all possible to discuss with the players how much money is in the rake. Make sure your dealer knows this (if you have one). Usually, once the rake would hit $25, I would have the dealer chip out the small chips for $25 chips. I’d come and take the rake as soon as it hit $50 and record the amount.
You’ll have players from time to time ask you how much you’re making from the game etc.., but the wise thing is to avoid the conversation or just withhold the true amount from them. Usually I would just say “It’s enough” or “It helps pay the bills.” Though if a player asks what’s your rake, don’t hesitate to tell them. Every player is entitled to know your rake system and how much you take. They are not entitled to know how much you’re making from it. A game I went to, the owner usually tried to avoid that question when players asked him how much he rakes. This is a no, no. Make sure the players know how much you rake.
There you have it. Figure an ideal rake system for your own game and start watching the money roll in!
Comments
Leave a Reply