Raking the game

Topic

The illegal act of taking a percentage of the pot in a home poker game. Molly Bloom began doing this in her New York games, which was a key factor in her federal indictment.


First Mentioned

11/27/2025, 7:28:11 AM

Last Updated

11/27/2025, 8:10:46 AM

Research Retrieved

11/27/2025, 8:10:46 AM

Summary

Raking the game refers to the practice of a cardroom or house taking a commission fee from a poker game, typically ranging from 2.5% to 10% of the pot, up to a set maximum. This fee is the primary revenue mechanism for operators, covering essential operational costs such as dealers, support staff, equipment, and venue expenses. Live games generally feature a higher rake compared to online poker. A common policy, "no flop, no drop," dictates that no rake is taken if a hand in community card poker games does not reach the flop. In the context of Molly Bloom's high-stakes poker enterprise, her illegal decision to rake the game, reportedly to mitigate the high risk of extending credit, precipitated an FBI investigation, asset forfeiture, and prosecution by the Southern District of New York.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Maximum

    Up to a predetermined maximum amount (capped rake)

  • Purpose

    Primary revenue mechanism for cardrooms; covers operational costs (dealers, support staff, software, equipment, venue)

  • Definition

    A scaled commission fee taken by a cardroom operating a poker game

  • Policy Variation

    'No flop, no drop' (no rake if hand doesn't reach the flop)

  • Typical Percentage

    2.5% to 10% of the pot

  • Comparison (Live vs. Online)

    Rake in live games is generally higher than for online poker

  • Legality (Molly Bloom's context)

    Illegal

  • Molly Bloom's motivation for raking

    To mitigate the high risk of giving players credit, taking rake in lieu of interest

Timeline
  • Molly Bloom's illegal decision to rake her high-stakes poker games, reportedly to mitigate credit risk, led to an FBI investigation and raid, followed by prosecution by the United States of America through the Southern District of New York, and asset forfeiture of her life savings. (Source: Related Documents)

    Undated

Rake (poker)

Rake is the scaled commission fee taken by a cardroom operating a poker game. It is generally 2.5% to 10% of the pot in each poker hand, up to a predetermined maximum amount. There are also other non-percentage ways for a casino to take the rake. Poker is a player-versus-player game, and the house does not wager against its players (unlike blackjack or roulette), so this fee is the principal mechanism to generate revenue. It is primarily levied by an establishment that supplies the necessary services for the game to take place. In online poker, it covers the various costs of operation such as support, software, and personnel. In traditional brick and mortar casinos, it is also used to cover the costs involved with providing a dealer (though in many places tips provide the bulk of a dealer's income) for the game, support staff (from servers to supervisors), use of gaming equipment, and the physical building in which the game takes place. The rake in live games is generally higher than for online poker. Some cardrooms will not take a percentage rake in any community card poker game like Texas hold 'em when a hand does not have a flop. This is called "no flop, no drop". To win when playing in poker games where the house takes a cut, a player must not only beat opponents, but also the financial drain of the rake.

Web Search Results
  • The most satisfying leaf raking game - YouTube

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  • Understanding the Rake Baseball Term: Your Ultimate Guide to ...

    alike, understanding the term “rake” provides intriguing insights into the game’s rich vernacular and the elite performances it signifies. [...] # Understanding the Rake Baseball Term: Your Ultimate Guide to Raking in Baseball and Its Meaning [...] Do you ever wonder how certain terms, seemingly mundane, evolve to carry an air of excellence and prowess in sports? In the realm of baseball, a game deeply intertwined with American culture and history, the term “rake” emerges as a prime example of linguistic evolution mirroring athletic achievement. Engaging with this term offers not only a linguistic journey but also a deeper appreciation for the nuances of the game and the athletes who master it. For baseball enthusiasts and newcomers

  • Rake Definition | How Casinos Make Money on Poker - PokerNews

    The rake in live games is generally higher than for online poker. Some cardrooms will not take a percentage rake in any community card poker game like Texas hold'em when a hand does not have a flop. This is called "no flop, no drop". Some cardrooms offer rakeback as a loyalty rewards program. ### How to Pay Rake in Live Poker [...] According to the film Molly's Game, Molly Bloom started raking her games because the risk of giving players credit was becoming to high and she took rake in lieu of interest. No, there is no maximum rake in poker. Although, poker rooms try to compete in their rake structures not to lose customers. However, most casino poker games have a capped rake, meaning the house can't rake more than a specified figure. [...] More casually, the rake can refer to any money taken by the casino,cardroom, or poker club. Including tournament fees and hourly rates. ### How is Rake Calculated in Poker? How the rake is calculated varies from game to game and casino to casino. Usually, a poker room will have a set percentage of the pot from each hand go to the house. Generally, anywhere from 5% to 10% of the pot in each poker will be taken for the rake.

  • What Does Rake Mean In Baseball? - YouTube

    careers, showcasing their impressive hitting skills. Additionally, we’ll touch on some fun traditions and awards associated with 'raking,' including unique recognitions given to standout players. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of the game or just starting to learn about baseball terminology, this video will give you a clearer understanding of what it means when someone says a player is 'raking.' Join us for this engaging discussion and subscribe to our channel for more helpful content about the [...] What Does Rake Mean In Baseball? In this video, we’ll break down the meaning of the term 'rake' in baseball and how it reflects a player's performance at the plate. We’ll discuss how this term has evolved over the years and the significance it holds within the baseball community. You'll learn about the origins of the term and how it relates to a player's ability to hit effectively across the field. We’ll also highlight some examples of players who have exemplified this term throughout their [...] ⬇️ Subscribe to our channel for more valuable insights. 🔗Subscribe: #Baseball #Raking #BaseballTerminology #Hitting #BaseballSkills #BaseballFans #BaseballHistory #PlayerPerformance #BaseballAwards #HittingTechniques #BaseballCommunity #BaseballPlayers #SportsTalk #BaseballKnowledge #BaseballLife

  • Rake (poker) - Wikipedia

    A percentage rake is taken directly from the pot. In a live casino, the dealer manually removes chips from the pot while the hand is being played and sets them aside to be dropped into a secure box after completion of the hand. When playing online, the rake is taken automatically by the game software. Some software shows the rake amount next to a graphical representation of the dealer and takes it incrementally between the rounds of betting, whereas other software programs wait until the entire [...] Rakeback in cash games can be calculated using two different methods: dealt and contributed. The dealt method awards the same amount of rakeback to each player dealt into a hand, and the contributed method rewards players based on their actual contribution to the pot. In poker tournaments, rakeback is deducted from the cardroom's entry fee. Rakeback is similar to comps "Comps (casino)") in "brick and mortar" casinos. [...] which the game takes place. The rake in live games is generally higher than for online poker.