Holdem Poker Games

A typical rake could be structured this way in a $1/$2 Holdem Game:

Each game starts with no chips raked.
Players bet, call, fold, or raise as normal. When the amount in the pot reaches $10, $1 in chips is placed in the rake (to the dealers right). When the pot reaches $20, an additional $1 is placed in the rake. When the pot reaches $30, another $1 is placed in the rake.

Poker rooms typically have a maximum rake per hand. For the example game above, the maximum rake might be $3.

What about Pot Limit/No Limit Games?

Rakes in these kinds of games usually are based on a percentage. Say 5%, or 5 cents for every dollar in the pot.

What about Tournaments?

Individual hands in poker tournaments are not raked. The poker room will take a certain percentage of the total of the entry fees which it keeps and does not return as prizes.

The Importance of the Rake.

By choosing poker rooms and table with a lower rake you put more money in your pocket over time. The rake may seem insignificant at first but this is what powers online poker rooms and supports poker in casinos. Even winning poker pros 'donate' thousands of dollars yearly.

What to Avoid?

Besides avoiding poker rooms with a high rake, the smart poker player also knows to avoid games which are designed to maximize pots and rakes for the casino. Structured short games (5 or less players) are especially bad for players. The worst are short handed high-low split games like stud and omaha. With all the split pots and high rakes, often the only one to walk away from a game like this as a winner is the casino.

Play Smart

The only reason a player should bet his hand in poker is to:
A. Increase his or her chance of winning a pot. (bluffing)
B. Increase the amount of potential winnings. (betting a strong hand)
If you're heads up on the river in a high-low game where it's obvious you have the best high, and the other player has the best low, think about who really benefits from that last bet you made.