In this article, we study the different rake structures of the best poker sites to determine which ones are the cheapest to play.
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Cheap and cheerful. The rule also applies in the poker world, and unlike other products in which it is almost necessary to eliminate any of the two factors to obtain a quality result, in the gaming industry, some operators strive to offer friendly conditions for all their customers.
| Limit | GGPoker* | ACR Poker | CoinPoker | BetOnline | WPT Global | RedStar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NL5$ | 5% ($0.50)** | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($0.40) | 4% ($0.30) | 6.67% (€0.50) | |
| NL10$ | 5% ($1.00) | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($0.70) | 5% ($1.50) | 4% ($0.60) | 6.67% (€2.00) |
| NL25$ | 5% ($2.00) | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($1.50) | 5% ($2.50) | 4% $1.20) | 5% (€2.00) |
| NL50$ | 5% ($4.00) | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($2.00) | 5% ($3.00) | 4% ($2.00) | 5% (€3.00) |
| NL100$ | 5% ($5.00) | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($2.50) | 5% ($3.50) | 4% ($4.00) | 5% (€4.00) |
| NL200$ | 5% ($6.00) | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($3.50) | 4% ($4.00) | 5% (€4.00) |
| NL500$ | 5% ($8.00) | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($4.00) | 5.56% ($7.00) | 4% ($12.00) | 5% (€4.00) |
| NL1000$ | 5% ($10.00) | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($6.00) | 5.56% ($8.00) | 4% ($20) | 5% (€4.00) |
| NL2000$ | 5% ($15.00) | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($8.00) | 4% ($40) | 5% (€5.00) | |
| NL5000$ | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($10.00) | 4% ($100) | 5% (€25.00) |
*Hold'em only.
**Rake percentage (cap size at a table with 5-6+ players).
It’s worth noting that GGPoker applies lower rake caps at Omaha tables. Given its rake structure and traffic volume, the poker room can be considered the best option for PLO.
Below, we share some tables and conclusions, although we prefer to save you time and tell you what the lowest rake in online poker is before diving into the numbers
*Notes to the tables:
Read also — Rake in Online Poker: Rake comparison in poker sites
CoinPoker offers one of the lowest rake rates in the modern online poker industry. The standard 5% rake applies across all limits, paired with low caps, especially up to and including NL200$.
In addition, players receive a fixed 33% weekly rakeback regardless of how much rake they generate, provided they hold a sufficient amount of CHP coin in their account.
Another notable advantage is that CoinPoker’s Cash Game World Championship is played at rake-free tables.
The main drawback compared to other rooms in our top list is the limited range of formats and relatively low traffic. That said, at limits up to $50 NL, finding active tables is usually not an issue.
WPT Global stands out with an exceptionally low rake rate of 4% at all limits, reducing the overall rake burden by roughly 25% compared to most competitors. Rake caps only become noticeably higher starting at NL500.
This structure is especially appealing to Omaha players, who also benefit from a flat 30% rakeback, although traffic in Omaha games remains limited. Most of the action is concentrated at 8-max Hold’em tables with stakes up to NL400, but these tables don't offer regular bonuses.
It’s also important to note that WPT Global uses antes and straddles at nearly all tables. This encourages looser play than at many other poker rooms, which can lead to a higher effective rake measured in big blinds per 100 hands.
ACR Poker is the only major poker site that applies a flat $3 rake cap at all limits, provided there are at least five active players at the table. As a result, the effective rake is higher than average at lower stakes, roughly in line with the market at NL100$, and becomes one of the lowest among top rooms from NL400$ to NL600$.
The high commission in larger pots at limits up to NL50$ is partly offset by a well-developed bonus system. Even micro-stakes players can earn a flat rakeback of around 27%, while high-volume grinders can take advantage of regular races and the second option of the loyalty program that offers up to 65% rakeback at high rake volumes.
The best time to play on ACR Poker is late at night and early in the morning (European time), when more than a hundred tables across multiple formats are typically running simultaneously.
The fewer commissions you pay, the higher your direct earnings can be, and if you can find promotions such as rake races, rakeback, and leaderboards, among others, you will have the best of both worlds.
In general, poker sites have similar rake structures, and many players do not pay attention to the commissions they pay; however, it should be an important selection factor because, in the long term, it can significantly impact your results at the tables.
Some players wonder why some rooms like GGPoker or WPT Global have such high rake structures at high stakes. Although many suggest that this is due to the greed of the rooms, this may be due to a business strategy.
As we all know, recreational players are the soul of cash games; without them, the games would be practically unfeasible; then, by making the games for professionals less attractive, the sites hope that there will be more casual ones at the tables. It is a delicate balance reached after trial and error in which they seek to optimize the rake ratio and softness of the field.
Of course, commissions are not the only means the rooms use to deter sharks from crushing the tables: many sites have chosen to balance the games through restrictions on third-party software or promotions designed to attract casual players.
If you have ever seen a promotion that offers percentages close to 100% rakeback, we recommend that you read the small print cautiously because all that glitters is not gold. It is useless for a site to have the highest cashback in the industry if its rake structure is also sky-high.
| Poker room | Rake | Rakeback* |
|---|---|---|
| CoinPoker | Low | High** |
| WPT Global | Medium | Low |
| WPN | Medium | High** |
| GGPoker | High | Medium** |
| Chico | High | Low** |
| iPoker | High | Medium |
*Your rakeback is boosted to the next level if you register with Worldpokerdeals
**Can be high for rake race grinders
In recent years, so-called indirect rakeback structures have been implemented, which deliver more rewards to casual players, leaving aside the traditional rakeback model based only on volume. Similarly, more and more lottery-type promotions are being launched in which all players have the same chance of winning.
This complex question was born from a statement made by Daniel Negreanu several years ago and has been caricatured ever since. The rooms seek to balance their tables, and the rake is one of the most used deterrents: only the most dedicated regulars usually study the rake structure in detail.
We can say that more rake is not better, but less is not necessarily better because it depends on how the room reinvests the money in its players. Good promotions will attract more players, resulting in a friendlier ecosystem. The key is to find the perfect balance between fair rake and profitable promotions.
Our manager will help you to understand all of the issues related to rake and will assist you in finding the most profitable poker room.
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