Poker Rakeback Calculator: Maximize Your Returns (2026)
Poker Rakeback Calculator: Turn Rake Into Profit
Rakeback returns a percentage of the rake you pay to the poker room, significantly boosting your bottom line. Our calculator shows your expected rakeback earnings, compares programs, and helps you choose the most profitable poker site.
What Is Poker Rakeback?
Rakeback is the poker room returning a portion of the rake (the fee they take from each pot or tournament) back to players as a loyalty reward.
Quick Answer: Rakeback typically ranges from 20-50% of rake paid. If you generate $1,000 in rake monthly and receive 30% rakeback, you earn $300 back. For break-even players, rakeback turns losing into winning. For winning players, it significantly increases win rate. Always calculate total value including bonuses.
How to Use Our Rakeback Calculator
Use the Poker Rakeback Calculator →
Enter your playing volume and rakeback percentage to see monthly/yearly earnings.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Enter Stakes: Your typical buy-in/stakes
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Input Hands/Month: Monthly volume
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Select Rake Structure: Rake per hand estimate
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Enter Rakeback %: Your tier percentage
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View Earnings: Monthly and yearly rakeback
Input Fields Explained
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Stakes | Typical game | $1/$2 |
| Hands/Month | Volume | 30,000 |
| Avg Rake/Hand | Site rake | $0.75 |
| Rakeback % | Your tier | 30% |
| Gross Rake | Total paid | $22,500 |
| Rakeback Earned | Return | $6,750 |
Rake Calculation Methods
Contributed Rake
You pay rake proportional to your pot contribution:
| Your Contribution | Pot Rake | Your Rake |
|---|---|---|
| 50% of pot | $3 | $1.50 |
| 25% of pot | $3 | $0.75 |
| 0% (folded) | $3 | $0.00 |
Dealt Rake (Weighted)
All dealt players share rake equally:
| Players Dealt | Pot Rake | Your Rake |
|---|---|---|
| 6 players | $3 | $0.50 |
| 9 players | $3 | $0.33 |
| Heads-up | $3 | $1.50 |
Which Is Better?
| Player Type | Better Method |
|---|---|
| Tight player | Contributed |
| Loose player | Dealt |
| Multi-tabler | Usually dealt |
Rakeback Programs Comparison
Flat Rakeback
| Site Type | Typical % | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Rakeback site | 25-40% | Fixed percentage |
| Affiliate deal | 30-35% | Negotiated rate |
| Network default | 20-25% | Base rate |
Tiered VIP Programs
| Monthly Rake | Typical Rakeback |
|---|---|
| $0-500 | 15-20% |
| $500-2,000 | 20-30% |
| $2,000-5,000 | 30-40% |
| $5,000-10,000 | 40-50% |
| $10,000+ | 50-65% |
Hybrid Programs
| Component | Value |
|---|---|
| Base rakeback | 20% |
| Monthly bonus | Variable |
| Status milestone | Lump sums |
| Leaderboard | Prize pool |
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Micro Stakes Grinder
Stakes: $0.10/$0.25 NL Volume: 50,000 hands/month Avg rake/hand: $0.15 Rakeback: 25%
Calculation:
- Gross rake: 50,000 × $0.15 = $7,500
- Rakeback: $7,500 × 25% = $1,875/month
Example 2: Mid-Stakes Regular
Stakes: $1/$2 NL Volume: 25,000 hands/month Avg rake/hand: $0.80 Rakeback: 35%
Calculation:
- Gross rake: 25,000 × $0.80 = $20,000
- Rakeback: $20,000 × 35% = $7,000/month
Example 3: High-Volume Multi-Tabler
Stakes: $2/$5 NL Tables: 12 Volume: 80,000 hands/month Avg rake/hand: $1.20 Rakeback: 50%
Calculation:
- Gross rake: 80,000 × $1.20 = $96,000
- Rakeback: $96,000 × 50% = $48,000/month
Rakeback vs Win Rate
Impact in BB/100
| Rakeback | At 3bb/100 Rake |
|---|---|
| 0% | 0 bb/100 |
| 25% | +0.75 bb/100 |
| 35% | +1.05 bb/100 |
| 50% | +1.50 bb/100 |
Win Rate Comparison
| Raw Win Rate | With 30% RB | Total |
|---|---|---|
| +2 bb/100 | +0.9 bb/100 | +2.9 bb/100 |
| 0 bb/100 | +0.9 bb/100 | +0.9 bb/100 |
| -1 bb/100 | +0.9 bb/100 | -0.1 bb/100 |
Rakeback turns break-even players into winners.
Maximizing Rakeback
Volume Strategies
| Strategy | Impact |
|---|---|
| Multi-table | More hands = more rake |
| Play peak hours | More action = bigger pots |
| Avoid short-handed | More rake per hand |
| Consistent schedule | Hit monthly milestones |
Program Selection
| Priority | Factor |
|---|---|
| 1 | Effective rakeback % |
| 2 | Rake structure (cap, %) |
| 3 | Traffic quality |
| 4 | Software features |
| 5 | Withdrawal speed |
VIP Optimization
| Tactic | Benefit |
|---|---|
| End-of-month push | Hit next tier |
| Multi-site play | Maximize each site's rake |
| Leaderboard focus | Additional prizes |
| Milestone timing | Big payouts |
Rake Structure Analysis
Standard Rake Structures
| Stakes | Rake % | Cap |
|---|---|---|
| $0.01/$0.02 | 5% | $0.25 |
| $0.10/$0.25 | 5% | $1.00 |
| $0.50/$1.00 | 5% | $3.00 |
| $1/$2 | 5% | $5.00 |
| $2/$5 | 4.5% | $5.00 |
| $5/$10+ | 2.5-3% | $5-6 |
Effective Rake by Stakes
| Stakes | Pots/100 | Avg Rake | Rake/100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.25 NL | 65 | $0.15 | $9.75 |
| $1 NL | 60 | $0.50 | $30.00 |
| $5 NL | 55 | $1.50 | $82.50 |
Tournament Rakeback
Tournament Fees
| Buy-in | Fee | Fee % |
|---|---|---|
| $5+$0.50 | $0.50 | 10% |
| $20+$2 | $2 | 10% |
| $100+$9 | $9 | 9% |
| $500+$30 | $30 | 6% |
MTT Rakeback Value
| Monthly Fees | Rakeback % | Return |
|---|---|---|
| $500 | 25% | $125 |
| $2,000 | 35% | $700 |
| $10,000 | 50% | $5,000 |
Common Rakeback Mistakes
1. Ignoring Rake Structure
Mistake: Choosing site only on rakeback % Problem: High rake × high RB < low rake × low RB Fix: Calculate effective return after rake
2. Chasing VIP Tiers
Mistake: Playing extra to hit next tier Problem: EV of extra play may be negative Fix: Only chase tiers within normal volume
3. Single-Site Loyalty
Mistake: Playing only one site Problem: Missing better deals elsewhere Fix: Calculate value across multiple options
4. Ignoring Bonuses
Mistake: Only counting rakeback % Problem: Bonuses can equal more than rakeback Fix: Calculate total value including all rewards
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can rakeback earn me?
Depends on volume. At 30% rakeback generating $5,000 rake monthly, you'd earn $1,500/month—$18,000/year.
Is higher rakeback always better?
Not necessarily. Consider: rake structure, traffic quality, and total rewards including bonuses.
How is rake calculated?
Usually 5% of pot up to a cap ($3-5 typical). Tournament rake is the fee portion of buy-ins.
Can I get rakeback as a recreational player?
Yes, but earnings will be smaller. Even occasional play generates some value.
Do all sites offer rakeback?
Most offer some form of rewards. Direct rakeback, VIP points, or milestone bonuses.
Should I switch sites for better rakeback?
If the difference is significant and traffic is comparable, yes. Factor in all variables.
Advanced Rakeback Concepts
Marginal Rake Analysis
When is extra volume profitable?
Profitable if: (Win Rate + Rakeback Rate) > 0
Break-even player at 30% RB = +EV to play more
Site Diversification
| Site | Rake | RB% | Net Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site A | 5% | 40% | 3% |
| Site B | 4% | 25% | 3% |
| Site C | 6% | 50% | 3% |
Different paths to same effective rate.
Rakeback as Win Rate
Rakeback Win Rate = (Monthly RB / Monthly Hands) × 100 / BB
Example: $1,000 RB / 50,000 hands / $0.50 BB = 4 bb/100
Pro Tips
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Calculate true effective rate: Rake × (1 - Rakeback %)
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Factor total value: Rakeback + bonuses + leaderboards
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Volume within your edge: Don't chase rake at stakes you can't beat
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Track everything: Know your actual rake and rakeback earned
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Negotiate: Affiliates may offer better deals than default
Related Calculators
- Poker ROI Calculator - Overall profitability
- Poker Hourly Rate Calculator - Time value
- Poker Bankroll Calculator - Bankroll needs
- Poker Variance Calculator - Downswing risk
- Expected Value Calculator - EV analysis
Conclusion
Rakeback transforms your poker economics, returning significant value from every hand you play. Our calculator shows your expected rakeback earnings and helps compare programs across sites. For serious players, rakeback is not optional—it's essential to maximizing long-term profit.
Rakeback can mean the difference between break-even and profitable poker. Understand the numbers, choose your programs wisely, and let rakeback boost your bottom line month after month.
