If you've ever come across a game of poker—either online or in person—you might have heard the term “rake” mentioned. But what exactly does it mean? And more importantly, why do people talk about it being illegal in some cases?
This blog explains what a rake is in the context of Texas Hold’em, the most commonly played version of poker in the UK. Whether you’ve never picked up a playing card before, or are simply curious about how poker works behind the scenes, you’ll learn how rakes are used, why they're charged, and under what conditions they’re not allowed.
Understanding the rake can be useful if you’re considering taking part in a licensed poker game—either at a land-based casino or on an online casino site. It affects how much money goes into the prize pool. By the end of this guide, you’ll know how rakes work and what to look out for when it comes to legality.
What Is a Rake In Poker?
A rake is the fee charged by the poker operator for running the game. This applies to both live poker (in casinos or poker rooms) and online poker platforms. It’s not a bet and it’s not a tax—it’s a small cut taken from either the prize pot or the buy-in, depending on the format of the game.
In cash games, where players buy chips with real money and can leave the table at any time, the rake is usually a small percentage taken from each hand’s pot. In the UK, this is commonly around 5%, although it can vary by operator. There’s often a cap too—for example, a site might take 5% up to a maximum of £3 per hand.
In tournament poker, the rake is usually included as a part of the entry fee. For instance, if a tournament buy-in is £50, you might actually be paying £45 towards the prize pool and £5 as the rake to the organiser. That’s a 10% rake, which is within the standard range.
The money collected is used to cover operational costs—such as staffing, equipment, platform maintenance and overheads. It’s how legal poker venues and licensed sites stay in business.
Why Is Taking a Rake Illegal?
In the UK, the key point is not that taking a rake is illegal in all situations. It's that taking a rake without the proper licence is illegal.
Under the Gambling Act 2005, only poker games that are run by a properly licensed operator—such as a UKGC-licensed casino or online gambling site—can legally take a rake. This includes physical venues and online platforms.
If a private individual or group runs a poker game and charges a rake without being licensed, that’s considered unauthorised gambling. It doesn’t matter if the game is in a house, private room, or community centre—if a rake is taken and it’s not under a legal gambling licence, the organisers could face criminal charges.
There are exceptions for private poker games, but they’re strict. You’re allowed to play poker at home or among friends, but:
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No rake or entry fees can be taken.
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No profit can be made by the organiser.
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The game must be in a private space, such as a home, and not open to the public.
Even clubs and pubs are only allowed to offer poker under limited conditions, with strict limits on stakes, potential prizes, and no profit-making from the game itself.
So, it’s not the rake itself that’s illegal—it’s the unauthorised taking of a rake that breaches UK law.
How Do Casinos Take a Rake?
Licensed casinos and poker rooms use various methods to collect the rake, depending on the game type. These methods should be clearly displayed to players beforehand. Here's how they work:
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Pot Rake: This is common in live and online cash games. A percentage is taken from the pot at the end of each hand, usually once a flop (the first three community cards) has been dealt. It’s typically 5% but can range between 2% and 10% with a cap (e.g. no more than £3 per hand).
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Dead Drop: This method involves a set fee being placed in a drop box or chip tray before the cards are dealt. It’s not based on the pot size. This method is often used in live poker rooms and doesn’t change based on how much is wagered.
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Time Collection: In some higher-stakes games, players pay a fixed amount to play for a certain time period, such as £10 every 30 minutes. This method is more common in mid-to-high-stakes private games (where allowed) or in private rooms within casinos.
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Tournament Entry Fee: For poker tournaments, the rake is included in the buy-in. For example, a player might pay £55 to enter a tournament, where £50 goes to the prize pool and £5 goes to the casino. This entry fee is non-refundable once the tournament starts.
Operators must clearly show how and when the rake is collected, and this information should be easy to find on both land-based and online platforms.
What Is a Good Rake In Poker?
A “good” rake is one that feels fair to both the player and the operator. Since poker isn’t played against the house, but against other players, the rake is the only money that leaves the table for the benefit of the venue. So over time, the size of the rake can affect how much you take home if you win.
Generally speaking:
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Online poker tends to have lower rakes than live poker, sometimes around 3–5%, due to lower overheads.
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Live poker games often charge between 5–10% per pot, with a cap depending on the game limits.
The best rake for you depends on the kind of games you prefer and your budget. A lower rake means more of your winnings stay in the pot, but lower rakes might also mean fewer services or smaller tournament prize pools.
It may be a good idea to check a site’s rake schedule before joining. This is often found in the terms and conditions or under the cash game/tournament information pages. Operators are required to display this clearly.
Because poker involves elements of chance, no amount of skill or strategy can remove risk altogether. This means that paying attention to the rake is just one of many factors you might consider before playing.
Poker is a game that mixes chance with skill, but it is still classed as gambling and comes with financial risk. There’s no strategy that guarantees a win, and outcomes can’t be predicted.
If you choose to take part:
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Set yourself a spending limit and stick to it.
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Take regular breaks and avoid chasing losses.
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Make sure you’re only playing with money you can afford to lose.
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Avoid playing when feeling stressed, upset or tired.
If at any point gambling stops being enjoyable, or you feel it’s becoming a problem, support is available at BeGambleAware.org or by calling 0808 8020 133 for free, confidential advice.
Poker can be a fun and engaging card game, but understanding the way it works—including how rakes are used—can help you make more informed decisions before you play.
*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.
**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.