Cash Game Home Game Rake (3 Viewers)

Is 25% too much to give back?


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  • Poll closed .
Can someone explain why taking a rake at a home game is taboo, given the fact that I would be providing the chips, food, etc.?
 
most states when you take a rake, it changes the game to illegal.

The majority of the community play micro stakes (as a home game), where pulling a rake would net about 40-60 bucks over the course of a night, and thats just not enough to really cover decent food anyway. Its too high of a risk, on top of people don't want to break the law, so its just not a good spot.

If you're playing a 1/2 PLO game or say a 5/5 NLH game, raking 5-15 bucks a hand, well then you change the very nature of the game(s).

You bring up a moral vs legality question, most of the community members are disinterested in the conversation of taking a rake. When you take a rake the expectations change as well.

It elevates your responsibility for safety, houseman should always be in the game if there is an open seat, and should always give up their seat to a player, dealing often is expected to be handled by the house as well.
We have very nuanced discussions on rules, where I think a large amount of the community are not always up to date on all the rules or how to handle situations, which I would (and have) been pissed if it's mishandled in a raked game. An example of this would be were not everyone called preflop, but the dealer put out the flop, and now you have an extra caller - how do you handle this, what are you supposed to do?

These are things that start to come up and have more impact when you are pulling a rake.
 
Can someone explain why taking a rake at a home game is taboo, given the fact that I would be providing the chips, food, etc.?

If I am paying for your chips then they become mine as well, sort of like community property.

Regarding the food, I eat before I play. I go to play cards, not have a smorgasbord. If you are going to charge me for food, do I get to request specific types, or am I limited to what ever slop you provide?
 
Regarding the food, I eat before I play. I go to play cards, not have a smorgasbord. If you are going to charge me for food, do I get to request specific types, or am I limited to what ever slop you provide?

Easy killer, I prepare and cook food, ranging from steak, brisket, pork butt, breakfast foods, ect .. I also have a large assortment of ice cream, significant selection of pop, water, coffee, beer, and sometimes even tea.
If you make requests I'll try to accommodate, when I have had raked games.

You're not being charged for 'food', tables aren't cheap, chips aren't cheap, cleaning chips isn't fun, finding and keeping up with the players takes effort. Cards cost money, location and bathroom facilities, parking, chairs, ice I mean the list goes on and on.

With a rake typically comes a lineup that you would otherwise not have access to, it takes about 30-40 players to field a proper weekly game.

Security, camera equipment, risk, lots of costs in there.
 
Easy killer, I prepare and cook food, ranging from steak, brisket, pork butt, breakfast foods, ect .. I also have a large assortment of ice cream, significant selection of pop, water, coffee, beer, and sometimes even tea.
If you make requests I'll try to accommodate, when I have had raked games.

You're not being charged for 'food', tables aren't cheap, chips aren't cheap, cleaning chips isn't fun, finding and keeping up with the players takes effort. Cards cost money, location and bathroom facilities, parking, chairs, ice I mean the list goes on and on.

With a rake typically comes a lineup that you would otherwise not have access to, it takes about 30-40 players to field a proper weekly game.

Security, camera equipment, risk, lots of costs in there.

What if I'm a vegetarian? Or like one time when I had to fast for a blood test the next day? I drank one bottled water.

Chips are cheap. You can find sets for under $20 all day. It's your choice if you spend hundreds or thousands on chips. Tables are free. Everyone should have a dining room table at least. We play on mine when I host. I bought a cheaper table cloth from JoAnn and most prefer that to a smaller dedicated table. I considered building a nice table but didn't because my dining room table works so well. In either case I would never consider charging money to recoup the cost. It's my choice to spend on nicer equipment. It's not a requirement for a game. Plus, my statement still stands that if a rake is being taken at a home game to cover materials then those materials become communal property.

There's a difference between getting a group of friends together vs an underground raked game where you would have 30-40 players and security cameras.

In my home games it's usually 1 table, occasionally 2. People used to bring food and beer and I would also bring a new deck of nice cards once in a while. We also tip the host. My one friend decided he was entitled to some of the money and started raking. He provides almost nothing, no beer and no food. He may have one bag of chips. He also expects 10% of your winnings as a tip. I now bring my own beer for myself and cash out for the exact amount.

I would have no problem bringing food/beverage to your house and would leave a tip. I am also one of the only ones who will tip even when I bust out. I appreciate the host (since I host as well and know what it takes). However, if I am being forced to pay a fee, then my expectations change. I look at is as a business at that point.

My friend was raking about $70-$100 a night in a friendly $0.25/$0.50 game. That's a lot for a self-dealt game with one bag of potato chips.
 
Easy killer, I prepare and cook food, ranging from steak, brisket, pork butt, breakfast foods, ect .. I also have a large assortment of ice cream, significant selection of pop, water, coffee, beer, and sometimes even tea.
If you make requests I'll try to accommodate, when I have had raked games.

You're not being charged for 'food', tables aren't cheap, chips aren't cheap, cleaning chips isn't fun, finding and keeping up with the players takes effort. Cards cost money, location and bathroom facilities, parking, chairs, ice I mean the list goes on and on.

With a rake typically comes a lineup that you would otherwise not have access to, it takes about 30-40 players to field a proper weekly game.

Security, camera equipment, risk, lots of costs in there.
That doesn’t sound like any home game I’ve ever been in. “location and bathrooom facilities, parking,” etc. That’s an underground game l, IMO, which is much different than what I think of when I think home game.
 
What if I'm a vegetarian? Or like one time when I had to fast for a blood test the next day? I drank one bottled water.
This would be accommodated, but you're not fading the rake, the game is, its not centric to you, and you're not required to show up ;)

My friend was raking about $70-$100 a night in a friendly $0.25/$0.50 game. That's a lot for a self-dealt game with one bag of potato chips.
Robbery! 'Friend' seems like the wrong word here..

That doesn’t sound like any home game I’ve ever been in. “location and bathrooom facilities, parking,” etc. That’s an underground game l, IMO, which is much different than what I think of when I think home game.
I wouldn't shout prescriptivist at you, definition notwithstanding, you knew I wasn't taking about a casino or charity game. Grey lines, lots of grey lines =) but that's my point, right? When you take a rake you change expectations, you change the game, and that is why I think most of community here is disinterested in the conversation. Most are looking for a place to have fun, keep stakes lower and talk about chipping. Why would you take a rake on a 25c / 50c game? Taking a rake redefines what most ppl think of 'home game'.

If I am paying for your chips then they become mine as well, sort of like community property.

Regarding the food, I eat before I play. I go to play cards, not have a smorgasbord. If you are going to charge me for food, do I get to request specific types, or am I limited to what ever slop you provide?
I think a lot of ppl feel this way and I think its the wrong outlook, I think its aggressive and is the reason 'rake talk' is taboo on this site. I wish it wasn't. I also don't think Sal would play in many raked games.
 
This would be accommodated, but you're not fading the rake, the game is, its not centric to you, and you're not required to show up ;)


Robbery! 'Friend' seems like the wrong word here..


I wouldn't shout prescriptivist at you, definition notwithstanding, you knew I wasn't taking about a casino or charity game. Grey lines, lots of grey lines =) but that's my point, right? When you take a rake you change expectations, you change the game, and that is why I think most of community here is disinterested in the conversation. Most are looking for a place to have fun, keep stakes lower and talk about chipping. Why would you take a rake on a 25c / 50c game? Taking a rake redefines what most ppl think of 'home game'.


I think a lot of ppl feel this way and I think its the wrong outlook, I think its aggressive and is the reason 'rake talk' is taboo on this site. I wish it wasn't. I also don't think Sal would play in many raked games.

Get your panties out of a wad.
 
This would be accommodated, but you're not fading the rake, the game is, its not centric to you, and you're not required to show up ;)
Do you rake for food? I seem to remember you don't charge, but I may be thinking of someone else.

And you are right. It is my choice to show up or not. It would be nice to know up front, though, if a rake is taken, and what is provided. My "friend" just dipped into the pot whenever he felt like it. The more he was stuck, the more he took out.
Robbery! 'Friend' seems like the wrong word here..
Indeed. He is really not my friend any more. The cost of our friendship is equal to the thousands he took off of the table.
I wouldn't shout prescriptivist at you, definition notwithstanding, you knew I wasn't taking about a casino or charity game. Grey lines, lots of grey lines =) but that's my point, right? When you take a rake you change expectations, you change the game, and that is why I think most of community here is disinterested in the conversation. Most are looking for a place to have fun, keep stakes lower and talk about chipping. Why would you take a rake on a 25c / 50c game? Taking a rake redefines what most ppl think of 'home game'.
My point exactly. Who rakes a friendly quarter game?
I think a lot of ppl feel this way and I think its the wrong outlook, I think its aggressive and is the reason 'rake talk' is taboo on this site. I wish it wasn't. I also don't think Sal would play in many raked games.
When someone uses the excuse to recoup their expensive purchases by charging a rake then it does become an issue. Where does it end?

If people are playing at your house on folding chairs or your dining room chairs, and you see these awesome chairs and buy 10 of them for $300/each do you then tell everyone the rake is going up to fund the chairs?

What if you hire a DJ for $200? Now everyone ponys up $20?

You go to Sharper Image and get a couple of massage chairs. Hey everyone, it's a $10 entry fee.

It's pretending to be magnanimous when you really aren't.

And I do play in many raked games. My "friend" set the precedent and other hosts started raking. I'd say 70% of the games were raked. I just changed what I brought and how I tipped.
 
Can someone explain why taking a rake at a home game is taboo, given the fact that I would be providing the chips, food, etc.?
The way I see it, you rake if you want to profit off your game. If you need to cover costs of chips, food, ask your players for a one-time charge to help offset your costs.

My home game is mostly just friends or friends of friends, so I feel scummy taking rake. My games are also microstakes like 0.05/0.10 up to 0.25/0.50. I wouldn't make much money off rake. Sometimes my players will tip at the end of the night, but I never require or even encourage it.

I've also never asked my players for money to help with overhead costs. They are literally fine with playing $20 dice chips from walmart on a kitchen table. I am not. So the expenses of the nice table and nice chips are on me. Of course they enjoy the newer amenities, but they never asked for it.

That said, I would only ever rake if I wanted to make a profit. The reason why most people don't talk about rake is probably because it's illegal almost everywhere. Not a super smart idea to discuss how to start an illegal operation on a public forum.
 
I agree, I think some people are greedy and use it to offset losses. I think a rake can be a positive thing, so long its on the up and up and is there to enhance the player's experience. I don't mind if someone is being paid for their time. I think discussion the forums could highlight the pros and cons, in a good way.
 
I think a lot of ppl feel this way and I think its the wrong outlook, I think its aggressive and is the reason 'rake talk' is taboo on this site. I wish it wasn't.

I forgot about this one. The fact that a lot of people feel that way means it may not be the wrong outlook. In fact, I don't think there is a right outlook. There are just different outlooks.
 
I host many games with Whiskey flowing liberally. Good Karma, don't rake.
 
Taking a rake at a home game is just wrong. I host a home cash game twice per month, and I have light snacks and drinks, water, beer soda and liquor. If those attending want something special for drinks or snacks, I ask them to bring their own. Most of the regulars aren't drinkers, so water and sodas are the preferred drinks. I figure it cost me $20.00 each sitting but I don't mind. It's a fun night with good friends. We play $20.00 buy in so it's a friendly game. Most nights, there are more snacks remaining than what was started with. My biggest expense is the meat and fruit tray that I put out on the side table. Some of the guys toss me a few $$ before they leave so it helps replenish the mini fridge, but I don't ask for any $$.
 
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Taking a rake at a home game is just wrong. I host a home cash game twice per month, and I have light snacks and drinks, water, beer soda and liquor. If those attending want something special for drinks or snacks, I ask them to bring their own. Most of the regulars aren't drinkers, so water and sodas are the preferred drinks. I figure it cost me $20.00 each sitting but I don't mind. It's a fun night with good friends. We play $20.00 buy in so it's a friendly game. Most nights, there are more snacks remaining than what was started with. My biggest expense is the meat and fruit tray that I put out on the side table. Some of the guys toss me a few $$ before they leave so it helps replenish the mini fridge, but I don't ask for any $$.
Yeah, pretty much the same here.
I tell everyone to bring their preferred drink and we order pizza as soon as everyone has arrived.
I do give out whisky, beer and soft drinks for the occasional forgetful friend and sometimes get thrown a few bucks at cash out so we don't have to break a $10 bill.
Worked like a charm for many years now.
 
If I was hosting a 1/2 game and someone ended the night on $158, I would make the smallest cash out increment be $5 bills. If they end on $158, let them cash out $155. Drop the extra $ in chips into a drop box for each player at the end. The extra chips you drop can go towards food and drink expenses you may have during the night. Also have a tip box because why wouldn't you.

If I were to rake which I don't, I would take 1% rake capped at $2. no rake on pots below $100. keep it fun!
 

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