Rake is the commission that a poker room takes from every pot played. Usually it’s around 5%, and at first glance it seems insignificant. But the key point is that rake is charged every single time chips move from one player to another. Over hundreds of hands in a single session, even a winning player ends up losing a noticeable amount to rake.
Rake is the invisible tax on every move you make at the table. It turns poker from a game against other players into a game against the system — one where you must not only outplay your opponents but also overcome the constant drain of commissions.
How Rake Affects Winrate and Profit
Rake directly reduces a player’s winrate. You can consistently beat your opponents and have positive EV, yet still end up losing money at the end of the month — all because of rake. The higher the stakes and the more hands you play, the stronger the effect becomes.
Still, rake isn’t pure evil. Without it, the poker industry couldn’t exist: rake funds the rooms, tournaments, software, and security. It’s the necessary enemy that keeps the whole system alive.
If Rake Is the Enemy, Rakeback Is the Ally
Rakeback is the return of a portion of the rake you’ve paid. In other words, the poker room or club gives you back a percentage of the commission you’ve already generated. What started as a simple bonus has become one of the key tools for attracting and retaining players.
Most winning regulars today profit mainly through rakeback — check out the latest rakeback deals with high percentages on PPPoker, ClubGG, and X-Poker. Without rakeback, it’s only possible to make money against the weakest opponents, and such tables are getting rare. That’s why rakeback has become a must-have for serious players and a pleasant, often significant bonus for recreational ones.
How to Get Rakeback
Almost every poker room offers a loyalty program. These are cumulative bonus systems where the percentage of rakeback increases as you generate more rake. However, the starting levels are usually modest — around 5–10%, and to reach a decent rate, you must play regularly and in high volume. Take a break, and your level drops again.
An alternative is a rakeback deal. This is an agreement between a player and a poker club, union, or agent. The player registers through a referral link and immediately receives a fixed high rakeback rate — often 50% or more.
This format benefits both sides: the club gains an active player, and the player gets a steady return without waiting or complex conditions. You can find the most profitable offers in the PokerDealsHub rakeback offers section.
PokerDealsHub — A Catalog of Exclusive Rakeback Deals
PokerDealsHub (PDH) isn’t just a list of poker clubs. It’s a catalog of exclusive rakeback deals that you can’t get by joining a room directly.
PDH partners with verified clubs and unions on PPPoker, ClubGG, and X-Poker, offering improved conditions: higher rakeback rates, stable payouts, and transparent accounting. Every PDH deal gives players access to premium terms usually reserved for internal partners or top affiliates.
The player simply chooses the right offer, connects instantly, and starts earning more from the very first session.
PokerDealsHub was created for those who want to play smart — not feed the system. Go to the rakeback deals catalog and choose the best offer for your poker room.