How to use the rake calculator
- Enter the big blind, how many hands per hour the game deals, and how many players are at the table.
- Estimate the share of pots that get raked and the average rake per pot, including any jackpot drop.
- Add how many pots you win per hour and what you tip per pot.
How poker rake works
- Percentage with a cap: the house takes a percentage (often 5–10%) of each pot up to a maximum. Most common in live card rooms and online.
- No flop, no drop: many live rooms only rake pots that see a flop.
- Jackpot drop: an extra $1–$2 per pot that funds bad-beat jackpots.
- Time charge: higher-stakes live games often charge each player per half hour instead of raking pots.
Rake example: live $1/$2
A 9-handed $1/$2 game deals 30 hands an hour. If 80% of pots are raked an average of $5, the table pays about $120 per hour. Each regular's share is about $13.33, plus $3.50 in tips if they win 3.5 pots an hour and tip $1. That's roughly $16.83 per hour, or 8.4 big blinds per hour — more than many players actually win.
What rake typically costs each player, with typical assumptions about hands per hour and average rake per pot:
| Game | Hands per hour | Average rake per pot | Players | Rake per player per hour | Per 500 hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live $1/$2 | 30 | $4.50 | 9 | $15.00 | $7,500 |
| Live $2/$5 | 30 | $6.00 | 9 | $20.00 | $10,000 |
| Online NL25, 6-max | 80 | $0.20 | 6 | $2.67 | $1,333 |
Rake per player per hour = hands per hour × average rake per pot ÷ players at the table. Enter your own numbers in the calculator above.
Why rake matters for your win rate
The rake comes out of every pot, so your win rate is already after rake. But knowing the cost tells you how much better than the table you must be to win, and why the same skill level can be profitable in one room and break-even in another.
How to pay less rake
- Choose rooms with lower caps and no jackpot drop.
- Play slightly higher stakes once your bankroll allows: rake caps are a smaller share of bigger pots.
- Online, look for rakeback or reward programs.
- Tip consistently but sensibly, for example $1 per pot at low stakes.
Rake calculator FAQ
Do I pay rake if I don't win the pot?
Not directly, but rake reduces every pot you play, so all regular players share its cost over time.
Should tips count as a poker expense?
Yes. Track them in your profit calculator to see your true results.
Is online rake lower than live?
Usually, measured in big blinds per 100 hands, but online players play many more hands per hour.