Casinos make money in a lot of different ways. In most cases, punters are betting against the house. For example, with roulette everyone places their bets and, based on the winning number, the house pays winners and takes the losing bets as their income. In some games such as online poker, rather than playing against the house players are playing against each other. In this case, the house will take a percentage, called the rake, at the conclusion of the game.

That rake can be likened to a tax on the final pot. The rake back system works to repay you part of that rake, typically around 30%. The amount you receive back is determined by how your share of the rake is calculated. In some casinos, the pot total is divided amongst all players so the rake is then divided equally amongst all players. In other casinos, the pot share is calculated based on how much each player contributed. Under that system, each players share of the rake could be different.

To get your share of the online poker rake back, you need to register at poker rake back sites. They will then record all your bets and how much of the rake you have paid. At the end of the month you are paid back that pre-determined percentage of the rake. For example, if you have played a lot of online poker and paid $500 as your share of the rake, you could get back as much as $150. This is generally paid back into your poker account – hence the term ‘rake back’.

Should you claim your share? It’s your money. You have paid it out so it’s only fair to claim it back. If you’re a regular player of online poker and you regularly play in rooms where pots can be significant then you should be claiming back as much as possible. It’s called the online poker rake back – look out for it.