A percentage of the pot (for cash games).A fixed percentage of the buy-in (for tournaments).Here’s the list of some of the most common methods: How a certain casino goes about taking a rake differs from one place to another, though. In general, rake in poker is simply a fee or compensation that the poker room takes from players in exchange for organizing the game. Understanding how these different systems work is important if you want to adjust your play accordingly. To kick things off, let me first talk about what the rake is and what different systems for taking a rake in poker you might encounter at different casinos. While many amateur and recreational players tend to disregard rake completely, you might be surprised at just how important it can be for your bottom line. In this article, I will try to explain everything you need to know about rake poker nuances, share some tips, and adjustments you should be making to maximize your profitability. Have you ever wondered how it is that a $100 tournament with 100 entries has the prize pool of only $8,500? Rake is the answer! Unless you’re playing exclusively in home games with your friends, you’ll have to deal with and adjust for the rake.