In poker, casinos make money by taking a rake on the pot of each player. This is the fee that players pay to play cash games or tournaments, although it may also be referred to as an entry fee in MTTs.

The rake can be collected in several ways depending on the type of game being played and how many people are involved. A percentage rake is usually the most common, which is taken automatically by the poker software in online games. It is usually calculated based on the size of the pot. Some gaming software displays the rake amount in increments before awarding the rest to the winner.

There are also fixed fees and time collection-based rake schedules, which can be found in live poker. These methods ensure that the casino can continue to take a rake regardless of how many players are losing. This was introduced in land-based cardrooms after complaints from winning players that they were being unfairly raked.

Dead Drop System

In dead drop rake, a fixed fee is placed on the button for each hand and the dealer collects this before cards are dealt. This method is used in some brick-and-mortar cardrooms, but has also been adopted by many online casinos.

Weighted Contributed Model

Another form of rake is the weighted contributed model, which assigns a percentage of the rake paid to each player based on the amount that they put into the pot. This is a good option for players who want to avoid paying more than they should, but it can be frustrating for loose players who may be willing to fold their entire hand without calling the big blind.

Hybrid Rake

Some casinos use a hybrid rake that uses the weighted contributed model but calculates a skill level into the formula. This means that more erratic and unskilled players will be assigned more rake than skilled ones. This doesn’t give the more erratic players an advantage at the table, but it will make their bankrolls go further.

This is a very useful way to manage your bankroll. The more you play, the more you will earn rakeback points that can be redeemed for cash at the rate of 20-30%.

Choosing the Right Rakeback Site

There are several different poker sites out there that will offer you a variety of rakeback programs. These vary from generous to minimal, so it is important to find the one that offers you the most bang for your buck.

Most reputable casinos and online poker sites will have a rakeback program in place. These programs can be very lucrative for players, especially if you are a beginner.

What is the Difference Between Fixed and Timed Rake?

Unlike dead drop, which charges a fixed rake fee to each player, timed rake requires that the casino takes a rake from every player at the table. This can be frustrating for cash players who have to spend a lot of hours playing poker at the tables.