Tip #37 - Don't play when you can't beat the rake

The rake is the fee that poker rooms charge for each hand played. Understanding rake structures and ensuring you can overcome this cost is crucial for long-term profitability in poker. Many players overlook this fundamental aspect and wonder why they can't win despite playing well.

Signs you might not be beating the rake:

• Breaking even or losing slightly over a large sample size
• Winning small pots but losing overall
• Playing in games with high rake percentages
• Not qualifying for rakeback or rewards programs
• Playing in small stakes games with disproportionate rake

Problems caused by high rake:

• Reduced profitability in small and medium-sized pots
• Need for higher win rates to overcome rake
• Limited ability to play marginal hands profitably
• Increased variance due to additional overhead
• Difficulty building a bankroll in lower stakes

Strategies for dealing with rake:

• Choose games with reasonable rake structures
• Take advantage of rakeback and reward programs
• Play at stakes where you have a clear edge
• Adjust strategy to account for rake in pot odds calculations
• Consider table selection more carefully

As Daniel Negreanu once said, "In poker, you're not just playing against your opponents - you're playing against the rake." Understanding and accounting for rake is essential for long-term success. If you can't beat both your opponents and the rake, you should either move down in stakes, find games with better rake structures, or improve your game until you can overcome this hurdle.