Poker
Taking a rake in poker (Molly's Game)
A rake is a fee the house or host collects from each pot, or as a time charge, for running a poker game.
- Also called
- rake, juice, vig, vigorish
- Typical rate
- 2.5% to 10% of the pot, often capped at a maximum amount 1
- In Molly's Game
- The term refers to the house commission in the poker operation portrayed, not a different technical concept
Key points
- The rake is taken from the pot after betting, or as a separate time charge, and the rest goes to the winner 2.
- Common online rates are 5% or less, while live games may take 5–10% with caps such as $3 or $4 4.
- Taking a rake without a gaming licence is illegal; the term itself is not inherently unlawful 3.
Where this term is used
Related terms
Poker
Rake poker
Explains the rake as the standard house commission in poker games.
Poker
House rake poker
Covers the rake collected by the house or cardroom operator.
Poker
Casino rake poker
Describes the rake taken in casino poker rooms.
Poker
Average rake in poker
Gives typical rake percentages and caps across different venues.
Poker
Taking a rake meaning
Defines the phrase 'taking a rake' in poker contexts.
Poker
Beating the rake in poker
Discusses strategies to overcome the rake's effect on profitability.
Sources
- Rake (poker) en.wikipedia.org Provides the standard definition and typical rake percentages.
- Vigorish - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org Explains how the rake is removed from the pot.
- Underground poker en.wikipedia.org Covers the legality of taking a rake without a licence.
- Online Poker - Poker News, Poker Reviews & Bonues pagat.com Gives common online rake rates and caps.
Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.