Poker fees in numbers: why 5% does not tell the whole story

Two tables, the same percentage, different cost

These are fictional prices, not offers from a poker room. Table A charges 5% of the pot, capped at £1. Table B charges 5%, capped at £2. Assume the fee applies to the whole pot in both examples.

• On a £10 pot, both charge £0.50: 10 × 0.05.
• On a £50 pot, the percentage gives £2.50. A takes £1 and leaves £49; B takes £2 and leaves £48.

The cap changes the answer. The calculation is the smaller of “pot × percentage” and “cap”. It describes the amount removed from that pot, not your personal fee bill or expected profit.

Match the actual table before comparing

Rake schedules can vary by stakes, number of players and game. A rule such as “no flop, no drop” may mean no rake is taken when a hand ends before the flop. Do not apply a room’s headline percentage to every hand. Take the relevant percentage, cap and conditions from the specific schedule before using the calculator.

What £9 + £1 means

In this fictional tournament, £9 goes to the prize pool and £1 is the operator fee. Entry costs £10. The fee is 10% of what you pay, but about 11.1% of the £9 prize contribution. Those percentages describe the same fee with different denominators.

Entering three times at the same price costs £30: £27 towards the prize pool and £3 in fees. It is not a £10 session simply because the lobby displayed £10 initially.

Put a price on your planned session

Use the cost calculator with one entry first. If you would allow a second entry, enter two and look at the full price before playing. A lower fee is not a reason to increase your stakes or play longer. Neither this calculation nor a reward scheme predicts whether you will win.