Rakeback stems from two words, rake and back. So, in order to understand this term fully. You should firstly understand the meaning of the word rake. This word refers to the commission, often called poker rake, that online poker rooms and casinos take from each pit or game.
The exact amount of commission usually differs from one site to the next. The type of game may also affect the rake. Regardless, rake is typically a percentage of the total pot, often capped at a specific amount.
Let us look at an example:
If a poker room takes a 10% rake capped at $25, it implies that if the pot is $100, then the site will take $10 and leave $90 for professional online poker players.
Definition and Role in Poker and Casino Games
The simplest definition of a rake is the fee levied by an online poker room to cover operating expenses. Some people refer to it as the Vij, Juice, or Drop. The role of the rake in poker and casino games is to ensure that the operator has revenue to cover operating costs.
This amount usually varies from one site to the next or depending on the game. It may vary from one poker variant to the next even if the games are offered on the same site.
Calculating Rake
Rake is usually expressed as a percentage. Using an example is the best way to explain how rake is calculated. So, check out the example below:
The total pot for a poker game is $20. So, if the rake is 5%, and the cap is %2, then the rake is 5% of $20, which is $1.
Understanding how rake is calculated is crucial for anyone playing poker, as it directly affects their potential earnings. The cap is a very significant factor to consider when calculating rake. This means that even if the total pot is high, the rake will not exceed the capped amount.
See the example below:
If the total pot of a poker game is $100 and the rake is 5% capped at $2, conventionally, the rake would be: 5% of $100, which is $20. However, since the cap is $2, the casino will only take the $2 and not $20.
Historical Overview of Rakeback
Rakeback is a percentage of the rake that an online casino or poker site refunds to its players. Therefore, the origin of this term starts from the word rake. A site can decide to give back the money it receives from a specific game or poker pot to its players as a bonus or a special promotion. So, a rakeback is a refund. Over time, rakeback has become one of the many casino bonuses designed to reward loyal players and enhance their gaming experience.
However, it only applies to the rake that the site earns. The refunds can be proportions of the house. However, they do not have to be part of the rake from cash games or tournaments.
Poker rooms give out rakebacks to compensate their loyal clients who play high volumes of poker hands per month. So, to become eligible for this kind of refund, you have to play a decent volume of poker hands over a specified period like a month. Rakeback is normally presented as a percentage, which may vary depending on the poker room. Some sites offer extremely high percentages for VIP players.
Different Rakeback Models
Contributed Rakeback
Contributed rakeback is normally calculated by how much money a player has put into the pot. This means that the rakeback will be a percentage of the amount you put into the pot. So, the more of your own money you put into the pot means the more rakeback you will get, and vice versa.
Let us look at an example:
A site offers a 50% rakeback. The same site has a 5% rake. If a player contributes $25 into the pot, below is how the rakeback will be calculated.5% of $25 = $1.25So, 50% rake back will be 50% of $1.25, which is $0.625
Shared Rakeback
This type of rakeback is where the rake is shared equally between the players at the table. Furthermore, you have to voluntarily put money in the pot to qualify for this type or rakeback. Therefore, you will not generate any rake in this method if you fold after being dealt a hand.
Let us look at an example of shared rakeback:
You are in a 6-max $100NT poker room where the rake is 30% and the rakeback method is the shared technique. The pot reaches $60, and you voluntarily contribute $15 to the final pot. Three other players on the table also put their own money in the pot. Below is how the rakeback will be calculated:
5% of $60 = $3, which is the rake$3 divided by 4 (number of players that contributed to the final pot) = $0.7530% of $0.75 = $0.225, which is the rakeback
Remember that the table had 6 players. However, only the 4 that entered monet into the pot will receive the rakeback. This is how shared rakeback works.
Progressive Rakeback
In a progressive rakeback, the percentage you receive is based on the hands that have been played or the amount of rake paid. Most online poker rooms implement progressive rakeback systems that reward players based on the amount of rake they generate. Therefore, if you play a variety of hands, it means that your portion will increase. Also, the higher amount of rake you provide, the higher the amount of rakeback you will receive in return. A progressive rakeback model typically favors multi-tablers. This is mainly because casual poker players often receive small amounts.
Online Poker Rakeback Deals
Poker rakeback is a refund of some portion of the total rake that you pay to play on an online poker site, and different poker sites offer various rakeback programs. In a nutshell, it is when a poker site refunds a portion of the rake it makes from a game to its players. This kind of rake is usually collected from cash games and tournaments. It is not only the house fee that qualifies for this kind of refund.
A poker rakeback is a perk that is given to regulars or loyal clients at certain poker rooms that play a lot of hands per week or month. So, the volume of the hands you play on a site will determine the percentage of rakeback you receive. It will also determine whether you even qualify for this perk in the first place.
Sports betting Rakeback
Rakeback does not necessarily have to be associated with a poker game. Even sports betting sites offer this kind of offer or refund. So, a sports betting rakeback is offered by a sports betting site. It can be given to players who place bets on specific games or are loyal to the bookmaker. A sports betting site rakeback does not differ significantly from a standard poker rakeback. The only key difference is where it is offered and the specific details.
Highroller Rakeback
This is a rakeback offer that is given specifically to high roller clients at an online casino or a betting site. A highroller is a client or bettor that spends a lot of money at a betting site. The total amount of money you spend on the site in general can make you eligible for a rakeback. However, even if you frequent a certain game, like playing high volumes of hands at a poker table, you will also qualify for a highroller rakeback.
VIP Rakeback
A VIP rakeback is a type of offer that specifically targets VIP players at an online casino or a betting site. In order to become a VIP player, you have to earn a certain number of loyalty or VIP points. The points are usually awarded depending on how much money you spend at the operator. The precise basics of how a VIP program works and how the points are awarded usually differs depending on the site. Regardless, one of the perks of being part of a VIP program can be a VIP rakeback.
How to Calculate Rakeback
The way rakeback is calculated usually differs depending on the type of rakeback. However, the premise is quite simple. Rakeback is calculated on the rake, and not the amount you spend or the amount you lose (which is a misconception).
So, in order to calculate rakeback, you have to start by calculating the rake. So, the percentage of rakeback is calculated against the rake. Check out the example below:
A site offers a 50% rakeback. The same site has a 5% rake. If a player contributes $25 into the pot, below is how the rakeback will be calculated.5% of $25 = $1.25. So, 50% rake back will be 50% of $1.25, which is $0.625
Five Steps to Claim Rakeback Bonus?
Firstly, you should know that you cannot claim a rakeback unless the site offers it and you qualify for it. For instance, you can only claim a VIP rakeback if you are part of a VIP program. Regardless, below is a guide for how you can claim a rakeback bonus:
Rakeback Terms and Conditions
Rakeback promotions come with their terms and conditions, which may include eligibility criteria, wagering requirements, and expiration dates. It is crucial for players to read and understand these terms and conditions before claiming a rakeback promotion to avoid any misunderstandings.
Some common terms and conditions associated with rakeback promotions include:Players must understand these terms and conditions to maximise their rakeback deal and avoid potential pitfalls.
Advantages of Rakeback for Players
Financial Benefits
One of the primary benefits of a rakeback is that it gives you back some of the money you spend on the casino. Online poker rakeback deals can significantly boost your bankroll by giving you back a portion of the rake you pay. While the percentage of rakeback does not directly apply to the amount you wager on a game, it is still a worthwhile financial benefit. You can use the rakeback you receive to place more bets and minimize the risk of spending your own money. So, a rakeback is like a cash bonus.
Psychological and Competitive Edges
Getting a rakeback bonus or offer gives you a psychological and competitive edge. For instance, you can place bets more confidently knowing that you have something to look forward to even if the bet does not settle in your favor. Also, if your bet loses, the rakeback will serve as a consolation. Even if you lose money over a week, the knowledge that you will receive some of it back, is a consolation.
Rakeback vs. Cashback
A lot of people confuse these two terms. A rakeback is a percentage of the rake that the casino receives from a poker game or specific games played on the platform. So, it does not specifically apply to the amount of money you wager or your deposit. On the other hand, cashback is the amount of money you get back from the losses you experience when you play on a platform.
For instance, if your losses over a week amount to $100 and the site gives you a 10% cashback, the amount you will get back is $10. A cashback is usually calculated over a specific period.
For instance, it may apply to the losses you experience over a week or month. However, both offers are expressed in percentage and they are types of gambling bonuses.
Choosing the Right Rakeback Offer
Choosing the right rakeback offer is crucial for maximizing your earnings. Some factors you should consider when choosing the right rakeback offer are:
Make the most of your Rakeback
Volume is one of the keys for making the most of your rakeback. The more you play poker, the more rakeback you can earn, making it essential to engage in regular play. The more hands you engage in, the more rake the platform generates, which results in increased rakeback. Therefore, increasing your volume of poker hands will help you maximize your rakeback earnings.
Another way you can make the most of a rakeback is by understanding the type of offer at your hands and how to calculate it. This way, even when setting your betting budget, you can calculate the amount of rakeback you will likely receive.
Also, you can benefit from choosing the right rakeback. The choice you make from the wide range of offers you receive from different sites will affect the quality and how you can maximize on this offer.
Where to Get Rakeback
Rakeback promotions are offered by many online poker rooms, and players can find them by searching online or checking the websites of their favourite poker rooms. Some popular online poker rooms that offer rakeback promotions include:
- Americas Cardroom: Offers a rakeback program called Royal Club, which provides up to 65% rakeback.
- GGPoker: Offers a rakeback program called Fish Buffet, which provides up to 60% rakeback.
- Natural8: Offers a rakeback program called Fish Buffet Loyalty Program, which provides up to 60% cashback.
Players can also find rakeback promotions through affiliates, such as DonkHunter, which offers rakeback deals for various online poker rooms. Researching and comparing different rakeback promotions is essential to find the best one for your needs. By doing so, players can maximize their earnings and enhance their overall online poker experience.
Rakeback in Online Poker vs. Casino Gaming
Rakeback is more popular in online poker than in general casino gaming. So, it easier to get a poker rakeback than one attached to other casino games like slots. However, this does not mean that it is impossible. Most of the time, poker rakeback offers are more rewarding and feature higher percentages. However, you can still find casino gaming rakeback offers that suit your needs and are worthwhile. The key is to be very keen about the choice you make.
Future Trends in Rakeback
Rakeback is not a novel phenomenon. For years, casinos have incentivized their clients with this kind of deal. Future trends in online gambling will see casinos introduce more types of rakeback offers that target more games than only poker.
As competition continues to grow in the online gambling scene, casinos are likely to increase their rakeback percentages to differentiate themselves.
FAQs about Rakeback
What is Rakeback in Casino Gaming?
Rakeback is a percentage of the rake that a casino gives back to clients as an incentive. A rake is the revenue that a casino gets from the total pot put into a game. So, a rakeback is a percentage of the revenue that a casino takes from a game pot.
How is Rake Calculated in Poker Rooms and Casinos?
Rake is typically a commission that online poker rooms take from each pot. It is presented as a percentage. So, if the rake is presented as 10% and the total pot is $100, then the rake will be 10% of $100, which is $10. However, there is usually a cap.
This is the maximum amount that the casino can take as commission from a single pot. So, if the cap is $10, no matter what the percentage you calculate amounts to, if it is more than $10, the casino will not take the additional amount.
What are the Different Types of Rakeback Offers?
There are several types of rakeback, like progressive, shared, and contributed rakeback. Each type has a different way of calculating. So, as you learn the different types, you should also learn how to calculate the rakeback based on the type.
How Can I Choose the Best Rakeback Offer?
It all starts with choosing the best and most reputable online gambling platform. Other factors you have to consider are the percentage of rakeback, frequency of payouts, and reviews from other players.
Are There Any Drawbacks to Rakeback Programs?
One of the main drawbacks to this program is that a few clients are eligible to this kind of offer. Also, some casinos may attach strict terms to this kind of bonus in order to limit clients from making the most of them. Also, a lot of players do not know how to calculate rakebacks.