Poker Rake Meaning: What Is It & Why Is a Rake Illegal?
If you have ever been curious about how poker works behind the scenes, you might have come across the term rake. It pops up both in traditional card rooms and on online casino sites, yet not everyone knows what it actually means.
The word itself might sound simple, but its role in the game and legal status in the UK can be confusing. You might also wonder why the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) pays such close attention to it.
This post clears up those questions, so you have a clear idea before sitting down at a table, whether in person or online. Read on to learn more.
What Does Poker Rake Actually Mean?
If you are just getting into poker, you might notice that the casino or card room takes a small part of the money from each hand. This cut is called the rake. Think of it as a service charge for organising the game and providing the tables, whether you are playing in a real casino or online.
The way a rake works is straightforward. In most games, a small percentage of the pot is collected during every round, usually capped at a set amount. Sometimes it is £2, other times it might be higher, depending on where you play. You will often see this in games like Texas Hold’em, where the house collects its share directly from the pot before the winner is paid.
Online poker rooms commonly show how much rake is taken and how it is calculated. Licensed operators are expected to be clear about this, so you can check the table rules or terms for exact figures.
This is not a special fee for high stakes. It applies to low and high buy-in games alike and helps cover the costs of running the game. If you do decide to try your hand at poker, remember to do so responsibly and within your means; never wager more than you can afford to lose.
Is Taking a Rake in Poker Illegal?
In the UK, whether taking a rake is legal depends on who is running the game. If a casino or card room holds the correct operating licence, collecting a rake during poker games is lawful and treated as part of the business. The details should be set out in the venue’s rules.
It is different for private or unlicensed games, such as those held in someone’s home or any setting without the right permissions. Taking a rake in those situations is illegal because it amounts to running an unlicensed gambling operation. Private home games can be legal when nobody is taking a cut and there is no charge to participate.
Online poker rooms serving players in the UK must also be licensed. It might be a good idea to check a site’s licensing information before joining a game so you know the rake is being collected within the rules and player protections apply.
Why Do Some Poker Games Treat Rake Differently?
The way a rake is collected can depend on the game format and the venue. Some tables use a flat fee per hand, while others use a percentage of the pot that scales with its size and then stops at a cap. A typical card room might cap the rake at £5, while lower stakes tables often use a smaller cap to keep costs proportionate.
There are also house rules that change how much is taken in practice. For example, some rooms follow a no flop, no drop approach, where nothing is taken if the hand ends before a flop. Others use different counting methods, such as contributed rake, where only players who put money into the pot contribute towards the rake, rather than every player at the table.
Tournaments run on a separate model. Instead of taking a cut from each pot, the operator charges a one-off fee as part of your buy-in. You might see this written as £50 + £5, where £50 goes into the prize pool and £5 is the fee.
Because structures differ, it might be worth looking at the table or tournament rules before you consider playing.
How Rake Affects Player Winnings
Rake reduces the amount that returns to players from each pot, which slightly lowers the total paid out over a session. If there is a £20 pot and the house takes £1, the winner receives £19. Taken hand after hand, these small amounts add up.
Most cash games use a percentage with a cap. A 4% rake capped at £3 means no more than £3 is taken from any one pot, even if the pot grows large. Policies like no flop, no drop, mentioned earlier, can limit how much is collected in quieter or tighter games where many hands end early.
In tournaments, the fee is paid up front and the prize pool is based on the rest. A £100 + £10 entry means £100 goes to prizes and £10 is the fee. That split influences the overall return on the event because the advertised prize structure is built on the pooled entries after fees.
For regular players, the structure matters. A lower cap or a policy that collects only from contested pots can make a noticeable difference to results over time, especially at smaller stakes where the rake can be a bigger share of each pot.
Rake Alternatives Used in Legal Poker Games
Not every poker game uses the classic percentage rake from each pot. Licensed venues sometimes use different approaches to cover running costs. Two common methods you might come across are per-hand fees and time-based charges.
Per-Hand Fees Explained
With per-hand fees, a fixed charge is taken every time a hand is played, regardless of the pot size. In a live room, this could be £1 collected from each player at the start of a hand. It is simple to follow and the cost is visible, which some players prefer. The trade-off is that in small pots the fee can feel proportionally higher than a capped percentage, while in big pots it can work out cheaper.
Time-Based Charges Explained
Time-based charges, sometimes called time, are paid for a set period, such as £10 per half-hour. The fee is not linked to specific hands or outcomes, so it stays the same whether pots are small or large. This can suit players who expect to see a lot of action in a short time, as the cost does not rise with bigger pots. Venues usually make it clear how and when time is collected, such as individually or from the table.
Whichever model is used, transparency is key. Knowing whether a table uses a percentage rake, per-hand fee, or time charge helps you compare games fairly and pick the one that fits your budget and style. Understanding the structure before you sit down means you can focus on the cards with no surprises about how the game is funded. Always keep responsible gambling practices in mind.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.
 *All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
