In poker, the rake is a small percentage of the pot that the casino or cardroom takes as its revenue for hosting the game. This fee is collected either from each pot in cash games or through tournament entry fees. The rake helps cover the costs of running the game, such as staff, facilities, and other overhead expenses. Rake structures vary, but they generally involve a percentage of the pot, capped at a certain amount.
Rake Poker Example
For example, in a cash game, if a pot reaches $100, the casino might take 5% as rake, resulting in $5 being deducted from the pot before the winner collects their winnings.