FREE TOOL · RUNS IN YOUR BROWSER
What does the rake really cost you?
Enter the rake you paid, the rakeback rate and any limits. You get the rebate you can actually use, the rake you still pay, and a side-by-side check of two deals.
The short answer. Rakeback is a share of the rake you paid, returned to you. The part you keep is limited by any cap and by how much of it you can use.
usable rakeback = min(rake × rate, cap) × usable share
rake you still pay = rake − usable rakeback
Rooms set their own rates, rake definitions and conditions. Use the numbers from your own account or the room’s current terms; nothing here is an offer or a quote.
Calculate your rakeback
Use the numbers from your own account or the room’s terms. Nothing you type leaves this page.
Enter your numbers and choose Calculate. Nothing you type leaves this page.
01
Worked examples
All examples are hypothetical and assume $1,000 of rake paid in a month. They show how each setting changes the result, not real offers or expected income.
The last setting is why a headline percentage is not enough. A 30% figure that you can only partly use returns less than a plain 20% deal.
Rake paid: $1,000 · deal: 30% flat
30%70% effective rake
| Setting | Calculation | Usable rakeback | Rake you still pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20% flat | 1,000 × 0.20 | $200.00 | $800.00 (80%) |
| 30% flat | 1,000 × 0.30 | $300.00 | $700.00 (70%) |
| 30% with a $200 cap | min(300, 200) | $200.00 | $800.00 (80%) |
| 30%, only half usable | 300 × 0.50 | $150.00 | $850.00 (85%) |
02
Per 100 hands
A hypothetical player: 30,000 hands at a $1 big blind, paying 9.3 bb/100 in rake, on a 30% deal they can fully use.
The what-if win rate is an illustration of the arithmetic, not a typical or expected figure. Enter your own in the calculator’s optional box.
03
Dealt vs contributed rake
Rooms can credit rake to you in different ways, and the choice changes how much counts towards your rakeback. Wikipedia’s rake entry describes the two common cash-game models: a dealt model gives every player dealt into a hand the same amount, while a contributed model pays based on how much each player put into the pot. Check which one your room uses and what it counts as your rake.
| Your chips in the pot | Dealt (rake ÷ 6) | Contributed (rake × your chips ÷ pot) |
|---|---|---|
| $0 (you folded, no blind) | $0.50 | $0.00 |
| $10 | $0.50 | $0.50 |
| $30 | $0.50 | $1.50 |
A textbook illustration only. Real programs add their own rules, such as exclusions for some hands, games or stakes, so use your room’s own definition for real decisions.
04
What this calculator cannot model
Tiers and points
Programs where the rate rises with volume, or where you earn points exchanged later, need your own conversion into a usable share.
Time limits and conditions
Expiry, minimum activity and release schedules can reduce what you receive. Enter that as a lower usable share.
Tax and legal treatment
Not covered. Rules differ by country and by player.
Variance
Rakeback returns part of fees you already paid. It can improve your overall result, including turning a small loss after rake into a profit, but it does not guarantee a profit.
05
Questions to ask before you pick a deal
- Is the rate a fixed percentage of rake, or is it points or a status that convert at a lower value?
- Is rake counted on a dealt or a contributed basis, and are any games or stakes excluded?
- Is there a cap, a minimum activity level or an expiry date?
- How and when is it paid: cash, bonus funds with conditions, or points?
- Can the deal be changed, and what happens to your rewards if you switch?
For one worked room example, see our ACR rakeback guide and the Pot-Limit Omaha rakeback guide. New to the idea? Start with rakeback explained, work out whether a call is priced right with the pot odds calculator, or practise decisions at the free poker trainer using practice chips.
06
FAQ
How do you calculate rakeback?
Multiply the rake you paid by the rakeback rate, apply any cap, then apply the share you can actually use. Subtract that from your rake to see the rake you still pay.
What is a good rakeback percentage?
There is no single answer. A percentage is only comparable when rake definition, cap, payment form and conditions are comparable, so compare the usable amount, not the headline rate.
Does rakeback apply to tournaments?
Some programs return part of tournament fees. The fee is the “0.50” in a 5+0.50 entry, not the prize-pool part. Check your room’s terms.
Is rakeback guaranteed income?
No. It depends on the rake you pay, which depends on how much you play, and on the room’s terms. This calculator uses the numbers you enter and does not predict results.
Does the calculator save or send my numbers?
No. It runs in your browser and does not store or transmit what you type.