Sitting down at a real world casino in Las Vegas to play Texas Hold’em, you’ll often see more players re-depositing funds rather than cashing out. While differentials in skills explain some of the distribution issues, it’s also important to note the role of the rake. Rake is the percentage of a poker pot which is claimed by the house as a fee, and it can add up to significant amounts over time.
Most poker rooms take a fixed commission from each winning pot, as well as a sliding scale of rake up to a capped level – as the game continues around the table, the house take continues to increase. As a result, there is a gap between break even play and break even return at the poker table – closing this gap through a combination of rakeback and improved play can take you from a scratch player to a +EV player at the table.
Rakeback is used as loyalty bonus for players by online poker rooms in the same way traditional “comps” systems are employed by real world rooms. It’s a simple system. Your contribution to the rake in each pot is automatically calculated by the online site. Obviously the amount grows over time. By enrolling in a rakeback site, the player is rebated a percentage of those fees on a prescribed basis either directly to their account or as a bonus. In order to qualify for rakeback bonuses the player must generally sign up with a partner. A player may not always qualify for the highest initial bonuses; they can qualify for an array of reload bonuses which will lower their rake rate as they play.
Because tracking is automated, checking rakeback is easy. Status can generally be checked on a daily or even real-time basis. This provides a better understanding of performance over time. Appropriate rakeback provisions can move an individual to the realm of profitable player in a shorter period, increasing earnings substantially.
How Rebates are Earned Through Rakeback Programs
You can play in the poker room of your choice at the table of your selection and earn rakeback with the right signup structure. Unlike traditional bonuses which may restrict your play, rakeback provides you with rebates on rake based upon your Monthly Gross Revenue (MGR) to the poker room. As a result, you can play any type of game from Hold ‘em to stud to Omaha, and even tournaments at some sites, with strong results.
Poker rooms provide rebates on the revenue you generate for their tables which instills loyalty and provides a win-win for players as well. Essentially, rakeback is offering you a discount on the cost of playing online poker. For players who rely upon online tables for income, rakeback programs allow you to benefit greatly in terms of overall returns.
Rakeback sites credit rebates on a regular schedule, weekly or monthly generally although rebates are offered on a even more regular basis by some sites. Special rakeback rates are available for high volume players, allowing them to move closer to being a +EV player bringing home real money from their poker activities.
The author is a successful limit cash game player. He plays poker online and receives Full Tilt Rakeback as well as Fortune Rakeback.