Perhaps controversial, but I have no issue with a raked game. Two bucks is cool; that's about 45 bucks an hour. I wouldn't say it's just to cover food because a six-hour session is going to be a bit more than food costs.
What I take exception with is
I don't think not taking a rake is immoral.
Judaism cites taking interest on loans as one of the most egregious sins or immoral acts. I think taking a rake is comparable to tax or interest. The best case for an argument is a non sequitur, meaning it doesn't apply. I'm not judging here, I'm making a point that its not a good, or pro argument in this context.
The issue I have with taking a rake is:
The $2 a hand would be 300 bucks over 6 hours. Lets say you have a dedicated dealer, and instead of 22 hands an hour, they are putting out 18 hands an hour, that's $36 an hour, at 6 hours that $216, lets say your players buy in for 100 call it 900 bank, that is 24% of the bank. Now lets say your players tip, $1 (avg) a hand, that is $108 more off the table, that's 324 out of 900 gone, leaving $576 on the table.
Oh sure you left out ppl rebuying that would raise the money in the bank, sure but the game is likely to last longer as well.
If you spread a game where no one can beat the game aka leave winner, you'll end up without a game, or canceling
20 out of 23 games.
It doesn't matter how nice your equipment is, if I can't fade the action, I'll be happy with my name on the list.
I'm not opposed to rake, but I think minimum stakes should be 1/1, and you need about 30 to 40 players to host a single raked game.
Consider a seat fee or rake up to $200 to cover food costs. I tried this once. The problem is that if you get pinched, the legal fees
and complications outweigh the rake.
