Stake Poker Raising Rake

From PokerStars to Stake Poker

On November 12th, PokerStars raised rake percentages across most stakes in the U.S. and Ontario, citing the need to align its pricing with industry standards. The changes included increases of up to 22% at some stakes and significant hikes in rake caps, leading many players to question the impact on game profitability.

Now, a similar issue is emerging at Stake Poker, with players reporting rake increases of 7% across various stakes, along with a substantial jump in caps. While PokerStars publicly addressed its decision, the changes at Stake Poker have surfaced through community discussions, raising concerns about transparency.

Player Reactions on Reddit

The rake increase at Stake Poker was highlighted by a high-stakes player who reported changes at the 100/200 NL tables, where the rake rose from 5% (3.5 big blind cap) to 7% (6.5 big blind cap). In a Reddit thread, the player shared their estimated win rate of 11bb/100 hands over 160,000 hands before the increase and expressed doubts about the game’s profitability under the new structure.

Other players chimed in with similar concerns, estimating rake payments of 15–20 big blinds per 100 hands. For many, this level of rake makes even a winning strategy less sustainable, particularly at higher stakes.

One commenter noted, “Even if you are still winning, it won’t be worth it, and paying Stake $15–$40 an hour per table on those stakes feels horrible.” Another player suggested boycotting the site to pressure Stake Poker into reversing the changes, echoing broader frustrations about operators prioritizing profits over long-term ecosystem health.

Stake Poker Rake Structure

Stake policy, publicly available on its website, outlines a consistent rake of 7% across all stakes, with caps increasing as stakes rise. Below is a summary of the rake structure for key stakes:

Compared to PokerStars’ rake of 5.5% at most stakes and WSOP Online’s 5.5% at micro stakes, Stake Poker’s 7% stands out as one of the highest in the market. This has led to concerns about game viability and player retention.

What This Means for Players and the Ecosystem

The rising rake across platforms like PokerStars and Stake Poker reflects a broader trend in online poker: operators are shifting their focus toward casual and recreational players while reducing profitability for high-volume regulars. While this strategy aims to sustain long-term ecosystems, players argue that excessive rake risks alienating core segments of the player base.

Stake Poker’s additional challenges, including accusations of unprofessional handling of player bans and restrictions on regulars sitting at tables together, have further fueled dissatisfaction. “The worst part about the rake is the software,” one Reddit user wrote, “and the regs should boycott.”

For now, Stake Poker’s decision to increase rake, combined with broader concerns about operator priorities, underscores the ongoing tension between profitability for platforms and fairness for players.