Glossary
Rake (Poker)
The commission a poker room takes from cash-game pots or tournament buy-ins, usually a small percentage capped at a fixed maximum per hand.
Why it matters
Rake is how poker rooms make money without being a player in the game themselves. Understanding rake structure matters because it directly affects how profitable a game is for a regular player.
Examples
- A typical cash-game rake might be 5% capped at $3 per hand.
- Tournament rake ('juice') is usually built into the buy-in, shown as, for example, $10 + $1.