Do you take rake when hosting a game? (1 Viewer)

[bsdunbar1]

Nope, Never have
Hosting is an expense, but I do it because I enjoy it.
+ If I'm not hosting It's usually dice chips or chips that you cannot distinguish the color between

 

[DeeVee8]

Our game is a friendly one, not going to charge my friends to play. Yeah, to my knowledge taking a rake is what makes it illegal. I make my $$ the old fashioned way, beat those bastards on the felt.

 

[Seeking Alpha Social Club]

Fortunately for the both of us, you are mistaken. There’s a carve out for home poker games.

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https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter8/section18.2-334/

Thanks! I've read it a few times, and was expecting for laws to get more lenient, but my concern is similar to @grebe 's (I. think). It might be a bit tough for me to pass the "not commonly used..." requirement...LOL. My games are regularly scheduled and my 1800 sq ft basement was built specifically for that purpose.

What is "commonly used"?

I have never raked a home game, but I have been to plenty. I would never NOT go to a game because of a reasonable rake. Illegal? Whatever. It's stupid.

I suspect I'm F'd if I get raided...LOL!!

 

[joeyshin]

Thanks! I've read it a few times, and was expecting for laws to get more lenient, but my concern is similar to @grebe 's (I. think). It might be a bit tough for me to pass the "not commonly used..." requirement...LOL. My games are regularly scheduled and my 1800 sq ft basement was built specifically for that purpose.

I suspect if I'm F'd if I get raided...LOL!!

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I thought you got a rare photo of me collecting a pot....but upon closer look, i'm just shuffling. Lol

 

[ThinkingFold]

Nope, not a casino. Don't even ask players to cover any food or drink I offer.

 

[ovo]

No

 

[Bibliotender]

We used to provide drinks and snacks, including homemade cookies, but never took a rake. Tips were always appreciated during the cash games but it was more social time than make money time.

 

[BPTDirector]

Nope. There is a jar for food tips but no rake or mandatory charges.

 

[Frogzilla]

Yup.

Bad beat jackpot from cash games and hospitality fee from tournament entry.

Worth mentioning your “rakes” are completely legal for Texas (at least in most counties, maybe don’t do this in Tarrant) because there isn’t a house cut for that BBJ and because the hospitality fee is chipping in for food/drinks/snacks not for poker

 

[MikesDad]

No
I think in most friendly home games players will round down their payouts and leave a few extra bucks for the host for snacks/ food

 

[upNdown]

Thanks! I've read it a few times, and was expecting for laws to get more lenient, but my concern is similar to @grebe 's (I. think). It might be a bit tough for me to pass the "not commonly used..." requirement...LOL. My games are regularly scheduled and my 1800 sq ft basement was built specifically for that purpose.

I suspect if I'm F'd if I get raided...LOL!!

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I'd think that any time it's questionable whether a home poker game is legal, the second table has to be a pretty bad look.

 

[CraigT78]

Worth mentioning your “rakes” are completely legal for Texas (at least in most counties, maybe don’t do this in Tarrant) because there isn’t a house cut for that BBJ and because the hospitality fee is chipping in for food/drinks/snacks not for poker

Let me ask you this - does my 'rake' deter you from playing in my game?

 

[Seeking Alpha Social Club]

I'd think that any time it's questionable whether a home poker game is legal, the second table has to be a pretty bad look.

You are correct sir. And the 3rd and 4th tables don't help either.

 

[Frogzilla]

Let me ask you this - does my 'rake' deter you from playing in my game?

No of course not, I‘d kick in $20 for food/beverage either way

 

[BPTDirector]

Let me ask you this - does my 'rake' deter you from playing in my game?

Knowing the costs involved I do not think anyone would not play just because of a hospitality fee. And a Bad Beat Jackpot is not a rake per se because there is no house profit. I wish I was close enough to play your game.

 

[doctorchips]

No. But if people want to get some pizza, I'll take a pool of cash from people on the side and get pizza and some beers.

 

[upNdown]

No. But if people want to get some pizza, I'll take a pool of cash from people on the side and get pizza and some beers.

See that's the way to do it, in my mind, at least when I'm a guest - let the people who want food pay for food. No shade on people who put out a spread and charge a fee for it - whatever works for you and your group is good for you. But I'm a cheap bastard who likes to eat at home, so whether it's a home game or a charity game or whatever, leave me out of the food and food fees.

 

[KHarp1]

See that's the way to do it, in my mind, at least when I'm a guest - let the people who want food pay for food. No shade on people who put out a spread and charge a fee for it - whatever works for you and your group is good for you. But I'm a cheap bastard who likes to eat at home, so whether it's a home game or a charity game or whatever, leave me out of the food and food fees.

YOU CHEAP BASTARD!!

 

[Old State]

Haven’t you seen “Mollys Game”? That’s why she went to jail. She went from charging a room fee to raking the game. Legal to felony.

As many have stated a poker game goes from a friendly get together to a felony when you rake the game. You would be technically running a casino without a license.

Back in the day when we used to host large tournaments we were careful to clearly indicate a food and bev charge in addition to the buy in.

Now I just provide stuff or people bring it for cash games. You could simply ask for food money upfront and completely avoid the possibility of being charged with a crime.

https://www.poker.org/poker-terms/what-does-rake-mean-in-poker/#:~:text=In%20all%20U.S.%20states%2C%20it%20is%20illegal%20for,get%20caught%2C%20especially%20if%20you’re%20hosting%20high-stakes%20games.

 

[TomC727]

No.

I also don't accept money for food or drink.

 

[joeyshin]

I bring whisky...it levels the playing field

 

[KHarp1]

Unlike @upNdown I'm not a cheap bastard, but I am a FAT BASTARD, and will happily kick in for food and beverage. I'm a huge fan of the roller grill...you give me some beautiful sausages and I'm happy.

Pretty sure that quote will haunt me the rest of my life!

 

[Budha]

Let me ask you this - does my 'rake' deter you from playing in my game?

Are these really a “rake” though in the sense you are taking a % (or set amount) out of every pot? (Is the bad beat pot award a piece of every pot vs carved out of the initial but in)

I mean I guess you could technically call it a “rake”, but it feels kinda different to me b/c it’s going back to the table (if I understood it correctly)

The tourney “fee” for food/etc is not a rake IMHO. But again, maybe splitting hairs - lol.

 

[doublebooyah85]

Are these really a “rake” though in the sense you are taking a % (or set amount) out of every pot? (Is the bad beat pot award a piece of every pot vs carved out of the initial but in)

I mean I guess you could technically call it a “rake”, but it feels kinda different to me b/c it’s going back to the table (if I understood it correctly)

The tourney “fee” for food/etc is not a rake IMHO. But again, maybe splitting hairs - lol.

I would think legality would agree. If the rake is going towards non profit activities such as a bad beat prize pool or food and such I imagine your fine and that's not "rake". The rake going to the house for profit, and the other area that could make your operation illegal would be dealers being tipped. For example, charity casino night or poker events in Ohio, even the volunteers cannot accept tips.

 

[Seeking Alpha Social Club]

I bring whisky...it levels the playing field

You ain't kidding brother!!! You probably brought half of this.

Edit: and those were all full 2 days before this pic...LOL!!

 

[CraigT78]

Are these really a “rake” though in the sense you are taking a % (or set amount) out of every pot? (Is the bad beat pot award a piece of every pot vs carved out of the initial but in)

I mean I guess you could technically call it a “rake”, but it feels kinda different to me b/c it’s going back to the table (if I understood it correctly)

The tourney “fee” for food/etc is not a rake IMHO. But again, maybe splitting hairs - lol.

$20 out of the tournament buy-in is the hospitality fee.

$175 out of every tournament prize pool is for the tournament of champions, POY, and for the ToC glasses and trophies.

$1/pot in cash for the BBJ.

Definitely a 'rake' by definition.

If you come and play one random game, that's money you will not be getting back.

Edit to add - also have a dealer who works for tips.

 

[Budha]

$20 out of the tournament buy-in is the hospitality fee.

$175 out of every tournament prize pool is for the tournament of champions, POY, and for the ToC glasses and trophies.

$1/pot in cash for the BBJ.

Definitely a 'rake' by definition.

If you come and play one random game, that's money you will not be getting back.

Edit to add - also have a dealer who works for tips.

Yeah, I guess you could technically argue these constitute a “rake”, but as a player, I wouldn’t “feel” like I’m being raked though.

Subtle, yet important distinction, at least for me.

 

[CraigT78]

Yeah, I guess you could technically argue these could constitute a “rake”, but as a player, I wouldn’t “feel” like I’m being raked though.

Subtle, yet important distinction, at least for me.

I pose the question simply for all those above who said they would not play in a 'raked' game.

 

[upNdown]

Let me ask you this - does my 'rake' deter you from playing in my game?

It sounds like a lot of prize money is being withheld for year-end league stuff, so yeah, that might give me pause if I wasn't a regular league member. But those arent really rakes in my mind.
But no, the $20 hospitality charge wouldn't deter me. You DO have Busch Light Peach I assume?

 

[Budha]

I pose the question simply for all those above who said they would not play in a 'raked' game.

Yeah - I see that, makes sense. However I think there is a distinction. To some degree, I think you’re taking an Uber conservative view/definition of “raked” game (if I understand the structure correctly). Which is totally fine, and transparent for any potential player(s) that might attend.

Whereas I think most folks who say they won’t play in a raked game are thinking of a cash game where the “house” takes X out of every pot in perpetuity, with 100% of the rake going to the house. Generally with the intent of making a profit.