Dealt Rakeback Vs. Conributed Rakeback
Poker Rooms use three different methods for assigning the amount of rake contributed by an
individual. At many rooms, they also use these methods to calculate loyalty points, and bonuses
earned. That is why it is important to understand how these methods differ, and how they affect
rakeback earned. Each player is assigned a MGR, Monthly Gross Revenue, by the poker rooms.
This is the amount of net rake you are credited with each month, which is your share of the rake
generated minus any deductions, such as bonuses, deposit fees, store purchases, or other in-house
promos. Poker rooms deduct all of these items, while others do not deduct any. Your rakeback
amount is determined by the % of the MGR. It is important to find out what is deducted from your
MGR at the poker room you are considering, to ensure you are maximizing your rakeback potential.
How significant of an impact depends on many things, including on how loose or tight you are and
what games you play.
1. Dealt Method:
When comparing rooms that use different methods, it is important to identify if you are above or
below average level of tight/loose players. This method is best for players that are tighter than the
average player, which also happens to be most winning players. This is the only method where you
don’t have to contribute to the pot to earn rake. As long as you are dealt cards and the pot is raked,
you will be credited with contributing a certain % of that rake. If you are one of the four tightest
players at the table you are being credited with contributing more rake than you actually putting into
the pot. Also, if you are playing at a room that uses this method, it is even more important to playing
every “free” hand as possible. If you are playing Hold’em or Omaha, never leave a table until you
have finished playing the Under-The-Gun hand. Also, if you play full ring, dealt is very important,
especially for limit games.
Here is an example of the Dealt method:
The percentage is calculated by dividing by the number of players dealt into the hand. For example, if
you are playing at a table with 10 players and all of them are dealt in, then you will be credited with
contributing 10% of the total rake. If the total rake for the pot is $3, you will be credited with
contributing $0.30 in rake.
MGR = (Total amt raked) / (# of players dealt in)
Another example:
If you are playing 6 handed, where the rake is $3 on average, at a poker room that pays you 30%
Rakeback, you make quite a bit each hand. If you were to leave one hand before you are UTG, you
are throwing away on average, 15 cents every time you do this. This is calculated by (avg. total rake)
/ (# of players) * (rakeback %) = Rakeback earned per hand. ($3/6)*.3 = $0.15
Sites that use the Dealt method: FTP, Cake, SunPoker, Bodog.
2. Contributed Method:
This method is best for players who are looser than the average player, or play 6 max ring. The most
common method of calculating rake is the Contributed method. This means the Rake paid into the
pot is distributed only to the players who contributed to the pot. In Hold’em this includes the small
blind, big blind, and anyone who voluntarily puts money into the pot. Some sites do not count the
small blind as contributing, because it is such a small amount relative to the overall size of the pot.
Low stakes ring games often have a lot of tables that are passive preflop, with a lot of players to the
flop. The contributed method is good for these types of games, because good players know the
correct strategy is to see a lot of flops, therefore contributing to a lot of pots.
MGR = ($ amount raked) / (Amount of players contributed to the pot)
Here is an example of the contributed method:
If there are 10 players dealt in, and you are one of the 5 players to contribute to the pot, with a total
rake of $2.50, then you will be credited with ($2.50/5) = $0.50 MGR.
Sites that use the Dealt method: Carbon Poker, PKR, Poker Heaven, Gonagas, Iron Duke Poker,Poker Nordica, Eurolinx, Ladsbrokes Poker.
(we need to research these to make sure some aren’t weighted contributed)
3. Weighted Contributed Method:
The least common and most accurate method is weighted contributed. You have to contribute to the
pot to be credited MGR, and it is figured in direct proportion to the amount of money you put in the
pot. This method is the least profitable in terms of rakeback for most players who play tighter than
average. Also, if you are playing a game with antes, like 7 Card Stud, weighted contributed is the
exact same as dealt would be.
Here is an example of the weighted contributed system:
If you contribute $20 into an $80 pot with a $3 rake you will earn ($20/$80)* $3 =$0.75
MGR = (Amount Contributed / Amount of Pot) * (Amount Raked)
Here is a more complicated example of the weighted contributed system:
$1/2 No Limit Hold’em 6 max
Small Blind Posts $1,
Big Blind Posts $2,
Under the Gun folds,
The Hijack Position raises to $8,
The Cut-Off Position folds,
The Dealer Button goes all in for $48.50,
The SB and BB both fold and the Hijack Position makes the call of $40.50.
This makes the total pot for this hand $100, and the total rake taken $3. This table will show how
much rake was contributed by each player and how many VIP Points are awarded. All of these
numbers are slightly estimated, but an accurate way to calculate your amount of rake contributed in
the weighted system.
Player in the Example Above % Contributed to the pot for each Player Amt. of Rake Contributed by
each Player
SB $1 / $100 = 1% $3 * 0.01 = $0.03
BB $2 / $100 = 2% $3 * 0.02 = $0.06
UTG 0% $0
HJ $48.50 / $100 = 48.5% $3 * 0.485 = $1.455
CO 0% $0
DB $48.50 / $100 = 48.5% $3 * 0.485= $1.455
Summary:
Identify if you are tighter or looser than the average player. Simply observe the other players and you
will get a good idea. The best way is to use Pokertracker, if it is allowed. Compare your VPiP levels
and Showdown percentages to other players in your database. There are other tools that can also
get you this data.
Also, think about what games you play. If you are a SNG grinder or a MTT player, that doesn’t play
ring games; the main thing that matters is if they include tourney fees. The method of calculating rake
doesn’t matter at all for this type of player. If you play full ring limit or NL and are tighter than
average, then dealt is significantly better. For 6 max, LAG players, then contributed is better. The
best way to get a more accurate estimate is to track everything you do
  Best Poker Rakeback
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