Bankroll & money

Rake in Poker: Bankroll Strategy Explained

The definition, with context from real hands and how it connects to the rest of your strategy.

Quick answer

Rake: The percentage of each pot taken by the poker room.

In more detail

Online at micro stakes it is 4.5–6.25% of the pot, capped at $0.20–$4.00 (NL2–NL25 in our rake table). Rake is the main reason micro-stakes is harder than people think: it eats into all winnings.

Common questions

What does Rake mean in poker?

Online at micro stakes it is 4.5–6.25% of the pot, capped at $0.20–$4.00 (NL2–NL25 in our rake table). Rake is the main reason micro-stakes is harder than people think: it eats into all winnings.

Related terms

Bankroll
The money set aside for poker, separate from living expenses.
Buy-In
The amount required to enter a game or tournament.
Rakeback
A percentage of paid rake returned to the player.
Risk of Ruin
The chance of losing an entire bankroll before variance turns.

New to poker? Start with our preflop strategy guide and the free TAG cheatsheet.