Poker Rake and Rakeback

An offer you can't refuse

Poker has something to offer you that other casino games can't: It lets you win based on your skills as a player. Yeah, we've heard all those claims about gambling secrets and how you can beat the casino. Well, long story short: there is no sure way to beat the casino. None of the gambling "secrets" work as much as their advocates claim. Why? Well, because casinos designed these games to give money to the house (casino) and not to the players. This is why you see a zero or two zeroes in roulette wheels, and why you have to win jacks or better in video poker and so on. It's all so the odds end up in the casino's favor.

But with table poker, it's not like that. You play against your fellow human gamblers, not the dealer and not some machine. The house plays no role at all apart from hosting the game. That means you have no house advantage to overcome, right? RIGHT?

Well, sort of.

How the house profits from poker

Now the casinos aren't silly. Why would they host poker games for free while also providing free drinks and other amenities? They make money from the poker tables too, that's why.

Casinos take a commission out of the total bets in every poker game they host. This is called the "rake" and is usually around 5% of the pot. Now if you play in low limit tables and win small, that is a big amount considering your winnings are small to begin with (when you do win!). If you play at higher stakes, it is also significant since you win bigger. Add to that the tips to the dealer and waitresses and you can lose up to 10% of your winnings. That's if you have a good day. Not what you want, is it?

The rakeback

So everything has a price after all. Now what can you do about this?

You can use rakebacks. Rakeback was invented so poker players could get back some of the commission they pay out to the house. It is conceptually similar to casino comp points. It is a rebate of what you spend in the casino or poker room.

To enjoy the benefits of rakeback, you need to sign up with an online poker room that has an affiliate offering rakebacks. When you join the poker site, your total spending will be tracked and a fixed percentage of that amount will be returned to you. That is your rakeback!

Of course, there are many sites that offer rakebacks at different rates. Take the time to look for the best rakeback offers. When you do, show loyalty to the poker site by playing there often and not abusing their bonuses. Rakebacks, bonuses, freerolls and other prizes are gifts that the casino gives you for being their customer. Enjoy them but please don't abuse them.