The Rake in Low Limit Hold 'em

[Rbower]

I play a lot of 3-6 and 4-8 low limit hold 'em in casinos. Every time I hear discussions about the rake in low limit hold 'em I hear different stories. Some authorities seem to say that "even Phil Ivey couldn't be a winning player at low limit hold 'em because of the rake". Other people claim that "it is possible to make $50,000 a year playing 3-6 limit hold 'em". How much money can a good solid player expect to make playing a 3-6 game in a brick and mortar casino with an average rake? Also what is the average amount that is raked out of pots at casinos in low limit?

[acesovercole]

Well...

I think you CAN be a winning player at small stakes limit. The rake does hurt quite a bit though. I don't think it's very likely you're going to find someone who can make 50k a year with brick and mortar play though. That's like, an online multi-table annual rate.

The average amount that is raked in a low limit game is like, $3-4. You figure $3 is the rake and another buck goes to a jackpot if there is one. That's on EVERY hand that sees a flop.

Hope this helps.

[llayner]

You should expect to make a BB/hour, even with the rake and dealer tips.

[KurtSF]

Around here its $3 drop, $1 BBJ, and $1 tip, so a total of $5 leaves that tables every hand. More if there are big tippers. So almost 1 BB gets taken out of every pot. That means to beat 3/6 at the "standard rate" you need to actually win much more than 1BB/hour as you're losing almost a BB/pot.

Given the poor quality of play usually shown in these games I believe this is entirely doable. I'd put the realistic maximum you can win at this level at probably $25,000 a year if you quit your job and devote your life to it. About $10,000 a year if not.

$0.02

[llayner]

Ok but at the very minimum, at 3/6 hold'em if make a realistic 1BB/hr (lets assume, overcalls, bad plays make up for the rake etc), you can pull about 13k working a 40 hour week; or, if you want to get craazy, lets say you work investment banker, 100 hours/week, you can pull a big 31k/year. You're better off getting a job a starbucks - at least that has benefits.

I had to be a nerd a crunch the numbers...

[SixForty]

I hate to go against the flow here, but I think that it should be relatively easy for a good player to beat 3/6 for more than 1 BB/hr. Even with the rake and tips.

[acesovercole]

I think you can probably still work a full time job, but also play poker for 8 hours a day and accomplish more than $10,000 a year.

[whereismyluck]

Thats why there is Rakeback programs and i make 2K a week playing $3/6 and $5/10 online. That doesnty include the rake

[yanfu]

I kept good records while playing small stakes for over 2000 hours -- mostly 3/6. During my record keeping period, the rake increased from 4 to 5$, including jackpot drop. During the 4$ rake period I made 7.50 an hour. After the increase my win rate dropped to ~4.00/hour.

After sessions I rated my play and I'd estimate that if I had played very well all the time (which maybe Ivey could do), winnings would be about 10.00/hour w/ a 4$ rake.

*I tip 1$ per pot > 1.5 big bets.

[jetfish]

Another consideration, is changing how you play in games where the rake is close to 1BB. Some hands that would be slightly profitable in a vacuum, turn into losers. And some small losers you might normally play, turn into big losers.
3/6 is definitely beatable, but making some adjustments will allow you to win more.