The Rake?

[Cristian301]

So,

I get invited to a game this weekend... 1-2 no limit hold em'

The rake is $4.00 per hand or 10% whatever is higher!!! WTF Is this typical for a home game? I do not understand. No dealer, no nice table, dice chips! and just some snacks and some booz.

I hate playing home games with rakes, but if there is a rake, what is customary or correct?

Also a lot of people here post IMO.. What is that?

Thanks

[JohnnyCnote]

Find another game to play in.

IMO = In My Opinion
IMHO = In My Humble Opinion

[Krafticus]

Originally Posted by Cristian301

So,

I get invited to a game this weekend... 1-2 no limit hold em'

The rake is $4.00 per hand or 10% whatever is higher!!! WTF Is this typical for a home game? I do not understand. No dealer, no nice table, dice chips! and just some snacks and some booz.

I hate playing home games with rakes, but if there is a rake, what is customary or correct?

Also a lot of people here post IMO.. What is that?

Thanks

all the games I play in, the rake is 0.

Mark

[Buzzerbeater]

That's a very high rake for a 1-2 game. There's no cap? Most casinos in a 1-2 game rake a max of $4 up to a $40 pot. Usually $2 up front, $1 at $30 and cap the $4 at $40. Some take an extra $1 for bad beat/high hand jackpots.

I've never played a raked home game so I can't really comment on that end of it.

[robinnh]

I play in a bunch of raked home games.

they range from $5 max to $7 max rake, and the rate ranges from $1 every $15 to $1 every $20.

The best rake around is 5%, $5 max, but it is also the toughest. I play tight, so I prefer a loose game full of donors and happily pay the extra $2 in rake on a big pot.

All raked games provide pro dealers (well trained, and very good) protected chips, pro tables, plastic cards, free food, snacks, beverages, beer, catered meals, etc. The higher rakes include free raffles for free money, high hand jackpots, bad beat jackpots, etc.

The game you describe is a travesty.

[pltrgyst]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCnote

Find another game to play in.

Good advice.

Originally Posted by JohnnyCnote

IMO = In My Opinion
IMHO = In My Humble Opinion
IMNSHO = In My Not-So-Humble Opinion

[face5535]

Christian, Here is my take on the whole thing...

First off, I want to warn you that this is a very risky move. If you run/play a raked game and someone gets upset, they are liable to complain to the Police and the guy running the game along with all players involved could be in some serious trouble.

Home poker games with no rake is 100% legal and really there is zero risk other than losing your money (hopefully to some friends).

Home poker games with a rake is 100% illegal, it really makes no sense to play in one because you can go to a casino.

Now that I have gotten that out of the way, here is my advice.

All home games I have ever played or ran with a rake look like this:

5% rake with a 4$ cap from each pot over 20$. There is never any rake for pots under 20$. Organized games always keep a separate container next to the dealer so player can see what is raked and also to make sure it is secure.

This rake structure seems to be the most fair in a home game. I have seen guys easily make $50.00 an hour by doing this, more if people are playing semi-fast poker. Anything more than this and people will not be happy because they can't beat the rake. Anytime there is a rake, there should be decent food and top level drinks.

Being from Chicago, I am always 30 mins from a slew of casinos to go to. I have been down to Tampa a few times in the last 6 months and the only place I could find a solid game was "the rock" (The Hard Rock). So I guess depending on where you live and such home games maybe your only option.

I do know that with online poker being up in limbo, there are going to be games like the one you are describing popping up all over the place... I like to think of a bunch of "rounder’s" like underground clubs popping up.

I would personally advise to just going to a local casino before ever playing a home game with a rake, it’s just not worth the risk and the fact that you may not be able to beat the rake makes for an even rougher grind.

7stars
Bobby

[Krafticus]

Originally Posted by face5535

Home poker games with no rake is 100% legal and really there is zero risk other than losing your money (hopefully to some friends).

Not in the state of MD, according to the laws I have read. Chances of getting in trouble are very slim, but you could. Adding the rake is like skating on thin ice.

Mark

[jbutler16]

Originally Posted by face5535

Home poker games with no rake is 100% legal and really there is zero risk other than losing your money (hopefully to some friends).

as Mark said, not true in maryland. also not true in many other states. this site has most of the state law correct:

State Gambling Laws

OP, confirm that you have the rake correct and if you do, don't play in that game. do the calculations of how much rake you pay during one session in a legit card room (10% up to $4 plus a dollar for the bad beat) and you'll truly be sick. that's nothing compared to how much you'll lose in this game.

[Duckbutter48]

Do they at least give you some KY Jelly and a how to live after being raped 1-800 to call when you get there?

Thats really bad.